Flea and Tick Prevention

Parasite Prevention for Your Pets in Allegan, MI

Fleas and ticks are more than just a nuisance. They can make your pet extremely uncomfortable and cause several different types of illnesses, like flea allergy dermatitis and tapeworm infestations.

Allegan Animal Clinic can evaluate your pet to determine the best type of flea prevention medication for them. Call us today.

Health Hazards of Fleas and Ticks on Cats and Dogs

Fleas and ticks carry diseases that can cause serious harm to your pet. The most common problem associated with fleas is flea allergy dermatitis, which causes excessive itching, skin inflammation, sores, and hair loss.

The second most common problem associated with fleas is tapeworms. Fleas can carry tapeworm eggs, and when the flea bites your cat or dog, the eggs can be deposited under your pet’s skin, causing a tapeworm infestation.

Ticks are known to carry many different types of bacteria that can cause zoonosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease. Zoonosis is known for causing bloody diarrhea, fevers, runny noses, and watering eyes.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever can cause skin lesions, vomiting, problems with your pet’s nervous system, and depression. Lyme disease causes lethargy, pain in your cat or dog's joints, and could cause a decrease in appetite.

For cats or dogs that are small or advanced in age, a severe flea infestation can cause anemia, which is characterized by rapid breathing, lack of appetite, and excessive sleeping. If you suspect your pet has anemia due to fleas, it is an urgent situation.

Types of Flea Prevention Medication Available

When it comes to preventing fleas and ticks, there are several different types of medications available, including:

• Flea collars – Worn around your pet’s neck to help prevent flea infestations. Kills on contact
• Oral tablets – Typically given once a month to control fleas and ticks. When the parasite bites your cat or dog, it ingests the medication and dies
• Spot-on treatments – Placed between your pet’s shoulder blades once a month. Kills fleas and ticks on contact
• Sprays – Sprayed onto your pet's fur to control in-progress flea and tick infestations. Can last as long as 30 days

Allegan Animal Clinic can help you decide which method is best for your pet, depending on his or her lifestyle. When it comes to controlling fleas and ticks, you can count on us to provide you with the right type of medication for your fur baby and advice on how to rid your home of flea infestations.

If you are looking for a medication where the parasite does not need to bite your pet in order to be killed, we may recommend flea collars and spot-on treatments. If you are looking for a no-hassle way to control fleas and ticks in your pet, oral tablets may be the right solution.

If you have a current flea infestation, you may want to use a spray treatment that kills fleas and ticks on contact.

Call us today with any concerns you may have about fleas and ticks, as well as questions regarding parasite prevention.