Oh, No! What to Do About Fleas on Puppies
If you’re the proud owner of a fresh-faced, innocent little puppy, any possible exhaustion is sweetened by the overwhelming affection you have for them. In addition to puppy-proofing your house, yard, and car, you have your work cut out for you regarding parasites. Fleas on puppies too young to receive their first dose of parasite prevention can be common, but there’s a lot you can do to safeguard your puppy’s well-being until then.
Continue…Is Cat Scratch Disease a Real Thing?
As if we needed another reason to detest fleas, they are responsible for spreading a bacterium called Bartonella henselae to approximately 40% of cats.
Found in flea dirt (droppings) and also deposited via direct bites on the skin, B. henselae can also be spread from one infected cat to another during a fight, and to humans, as well.
If you have a cat that likes to use their claws, we recommend this quick refresher on the dangers of cat scratch disease.
Yikes!
Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection. If an infected cat bites or scratches you and breaks the skin, or simply licks at an existing open wound, a mild infection can develop at the site of the injury in about 3-14 days. Signs of cat scratch disease include:
How to Safely Remove a Tick, And 4 Ways Not To
If you live in the mid-Atlantic region, you know that it’s always tick season. In the autumn, many of our clients and their pets are still happily taking advantage of the crisp days by spending time outdoors. We know that ticks are something to prevent, but have you ever had to safely remove a tick? If not, we have some tips and tricks for you to make this process relatively easy.
The Problem With Ticks
There are four tick species in our area that humans and dogs encounter: the Lone Star tick, the brown dog tick, the American dog tick, and the deer tick. Most of us know that tick bites are painful and uncomfortable. Did you know that they are also dangerous?
Flea and Tick Prevention: Kicking Creepy Crawlies to the Curb
If you knew you could protect your pets and family from itchy irritation, hours of cleaning, and certain dangerous diseases would you do it? If your answer is ‘yes’ (and we’re guessing it is), then you’ve come to the right place. The value of flea and tick prevention for pets goes far beyond just keeping a few bugs away; it can make a world of difference to the health of your pet and your family.
The Need for Flea and Tick Prevention
Fleas and ticks put our pets at risk for a variety of dangerous illnesses and conditions. A monthly parasite prevention medication is your best protection against these tiny, but mighty, foes:
The Big Picture: Preventing Heartworm in Cats is Important
Of all the illnesses we vaccinate your cat against, heartworm disease is not one of them. While it’s true that felines are considered resistant to the growing worms, both indoor and outdoor cats are at risk for developing heartworm disease. Limiting exposure and taking a preventive approach are the best weapons to defend against heartworm in cats.
A Proactive Approach
Commonly viewed as a disease that only affects dogs, heartworm in cats occurs nationwide, causing painful symptoms and early mortality. Because of this (and to avoid emergency care), we advise routine screening and monthly preventive medication to protect your cat. Continue…