There is nothing worse than watching the misery your pet experiences when fleas and ticks have invaded their fur. Not only is flea and tick prevention beneficial for your pet’s comfort, but for keeping your Oklahoma City home safe and comfortable as well. Fleas and ticks can manage to find their way into your pet’s fur and your home quickly and sadly your pet isn’t able to alert you of the problem. Prevention is also important because a bite from these pests may lead to disease and/or infection.

Why is Flea and Tick Prevention Important?

An infestation of fleas and ticks cause severe itching and discomfort for your pets. Not only could your pet have an allergy to these pests, but a flea infestation can also result in a secondary skin infection and/or massive hair loss. Both extensive hair loss and severe infections can result in multiple visits to the veterinary hospital in Oklahoma City as well as expensive treatments. Fleas can cause serious problems for your pet, including:

  • Fleas thrive on your pet’s blood, which can ultimately infect cats with a serious infection known as cat scratch fever. This is a serious problem for both your cat as well as humans, especially for the elderly, those with immune system diseases, people with cancer and organ transplant patients.
  • The cystic form of tapeworm is also carried by fleas, which can be ingested by your pet when they eat the fleas in order to relieve their itching. Once a cat or dog ingests an infected flea, the tapeworm begins to develop into an adult, which lives in your pet’s GI tract.

An infestation of ticks is also extremely dangerous for your pet because they carry a wide range of diseases that may be transmitted to your pet as well as your family. Some of the most common tick-transmitted diseases include:

  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • Lyme disease
  • Tularemia
  • Anaplasmosis

Are There Different Types of Flea and Tick Prevention?

Prevention is the best way to make sure your pet isn’t at risk of getting bit by fleas and ticks. Fortunately, there are a number of prevention methods your veterinarian can recommend that will protect your pet from these harmful pests. Your veterinarian may recommend a flea collar which is worn around your pet’s neck and will provide protection against these pests for 6 to 8 months. Another option for prevention is an oral flea and tick controlling agent, which is generally given to your pet about every 3-months. Your veterinarian may recommend a topical product, which is very effective for cats and dogs that spend a lot of time outside.

If your pet has fleas and/or ticks, it is essential that you take them to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible for treatment. Before using over-the-counter prevention methods, it is best to take your pet to the veterinarian first, because some of these products may only aggravate the problem. The veterinary hospital will be able to assess your pet’s current condition and determine if an infection has already developed that requires treatment.

Schedule an Appointment for Flea and Tick Treatment Today

Contact the Lakeview Pet Hospital in Oklahoma City today to learn more information about how we can help your pet find relief from ticks and fleas.