Flea and Tick Prevention Information for Pets in Saint Francisville, LA

While fleas and ticks are certainly a nuisance for your pets, they pose more of a problem than just an inconvenience—they can, in some cases, lead to some significant health problems. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to protect your pets and prevent fleas and ticks from becoming a major issue.

Here are some tips from a veterinarian to keep you pet free of fleas and ticks in Saint Francisville, LA:

• Continue treatment all year long: Sure, fleas and ticks are much more likely to be problematic during the summer months, when the weather is consistently between 65 and 80 degrees. However, it’s important to be aware that they can continue to survive indoors during the winter, even in some colder climates. There are a variety of products you can use year-long to keep your pets protected.
• Avoid using expired products: Perhaps you forgot to give your pet their flea and tick prevention for a couple months, or have just had some old products lying around the house for a while. If you do have any of those products that have expired, it’s a better idea to toss them than to use them, because they’ve probably lost effectiveness to the point where they’re no longer giving any reasonable amount of protection to your pet.
• Check for ticks regularly: If you’ve been outside, and especially if you’ve been out in an area that might have ticks, it’s important to do a thorough check for ticks once you’re back indoors. Look along the pet’s coat, ears and armpits. The best method of tick prevention is to keep ticks from latching onto the skin, so it’s a good idea to do a full check for ticks before going about the rest of your day. Keep in mind that with deer ticks, once they’ve implanted themselves into the skin, Lyme disease can be transmitted soon afterwards.
• Keep up with grooming: Grooming is not just a great way to spend some quality time with your pet, but also an effective way to keep them clear of ticks and fleas in Saint Francisville, LA. It gives you a reason to inspect your pet’s coat up closely and see if there are any bugs that have burrowed their way into the fur or skin. Plus, it’s harder for the ticks and fleas to latch on when the dog has shorter fur.
• Take them to the vet: Regular veterinary appointments are also a great way to make sure your pet avoids any issues with fleas and ticks. Your vet will carefully examine the pet at each checkup for signs of parasites or insects, in part to ensure any flea or tick prevention product you’re using is working as intended.
• Keep your yard clean: Keep your yard tidy and clean, mowing the lawn regularly to prevent ticks from roosting around your home. Fleas like warm, moist, shady areas that have lots of organic debris, so cleaning up clippings, leaves and brush can prevent them from creating homes around your property.

For more information about protecting your pets from fleas and ticks this summer in Saint Francisville, LA, reach out to St. Francisville Animal Hospital today.

Categorised in: Dog Health, Summer