With spring arriving, we appreciate longer daylight hours, the fragrance of blossoming flowers, and the unfortunate onset of heartworm and flea/tick season for our beloved pets. Safeguarding our pets from the seasonal hazards that surround us, posing significant risks to their well-being, remains our main concern as diligent pet owners. Heartworm, fleas, and ticks are prevalent yet avoidable parasites that demand the attention of every pet owner. Within this blog post, we will delve into preventing heartworm, flea, and tick infestations, presenting expert recommendations to ensure the safety of our cherished companions.
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Flea and Tick Infestations
Fleas and ticks, unlike heartworms, are external parasites capable of inflicting distress on your pet's health, comfort, and overall quality of life. Symptoms of flea infestation include itching, skin irritation, and allergic reactions, while ticks are notorious for transmitting more severe diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Moreover, ticks that come into the home with your pet pose health hazards not only to pets but also to human family members. |
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Flea and Tick Prevention and Management
Vigilant grooming and regular inspection of pets for signs of fleas and ticks, particularly following outdoor excursions where the risks are heightened, are a great tool in the fight against external parasites like ticks and fleas. Ticks are known to inhabit overgrown grass in rural or natural settings, but also in urban greenspaces. Maintaining a tidy yard by mowing the lawn and eliminating tall grass, weeds, and debris can effectively mitigate the risk of flea or tick infestations before they escalate into significant concerns for pets and household members alike.
For year-round protection against fleas and ticks, there are proven preventative products available in various formulations such as oral medications, topical treatments, collars, and sprays. These prophylactic medications are tailored to the pet's species, weight, age, and health condition for optimal efficacy. Oral medications and topical treatments offer targeted protection, while collars and sprays provide sustained defense.
Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease is a grave and potentially fatal ailment that can impact your pet, caused by parasitic worms that inhabit their heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites and can inflict serious damage on the organs of your pet over time. Left untreated, they may even lead to heart failure. Pet owners should be aware that heartworm disease is not exclusive to dogs; it can affect cats, ferrets, and other mammals that frequent outdoor environments or are exposed to mosquitoes. Thus, preventative measures and effective treatment at the earliest sign of heartworm infestation should be a priority for all pet owners.
Heartworm Prevention and Management
Preventing heartworm disease is considerably more straightforward and safer than treating it. Adopting a year-round prevention regimen is encouraged, as the worms can mature, reproduce, and proliferate within the host animal. Fortunately, a plethora of preventative medications are available, ranging from topical treatments and chewable tablets to injectable products.
For convenient and fairly-priced access to these medications, Pets Drug Mart is a one-stop-shop where you can purchase flea combs, tick removers, and trusted veterinary over-the-counter medications like Advantage II, and Capstar or K9 Advantix with ease and confidence. If you prefer a natural supplement approach to protecting your pet, try EarthMD Outdoor Shield supplement, suitable for all mammals.
If you are looking for a prescription flea and tick medication, the topical product Evicto is a great choice. In the event prevention measures are overlooked and suspicion arises regarding heartworm disease, prompt consultation with a veterinarian is crucial to determine the most appropriate course of treatment including prescription medication that is tailored to your pet's age, health status, and lifestyle. If needed, we carry prescription heartworm medications like Heartgard to help purge heartworms.
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