Parasite Prevention and Treatment
Although fleas, ticks and mites are tiny parasites, an infestation can cause big problems. It’s important to prevent and manage parasites for the sake of pets, humans and other nearby animals.
What are the problems or dangers of flea bites?
Some pets feel only mild discomfort while others may experience severe itching, redness, hair loss, or scratch themselves until they form scabs. Fleas can carry many different diseases and certain kinds of tapeworms.
What are the problems or dangers of tick bites?
Ticks carry a range of diseases, including Lyme disease, which is well-known and more prevalent in Québec due to global warming. In rare cases, a toxin found in tick saliva can cause paralysis in the infected animal.
How can I protect my pet?
There are a number of tick treatments that are easily administered, either orally, on the skin or with tick collars. You can administer monthly or longer-lasting treatments, especially during the time of the year when ticks are at their most bloodthirsty (when it’s warmer than 4 degrees Celsius outside). Dogs can also be vaccinated against Lyme disease.
There are oral and topical insecticides that prevent fleas. These products kill fleas before they have the chance to reproduce and prevent laid eggs from maturing.
Ask your veterinary team about the right option for your pet and how often you should repeat the treatment for maximum effectiveness.
How to safely remove a tick
It’s a good idea to wear gloves to avoid direct contact. Remove the tick with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a specially designed tool like the Tick Twister®. Be careful not to twist or crush the tick. The next step is to contact our veterinary hospital and together we will decide if a tick analysis and antibiotic treatment are necessary.