Most dogs and cats will pick up fleas or ticks at some point in their lives. These are parasites that are nearly impossible to avoid. Fortunately, you can prevent them from harming your pet with medication from your veterinarian or an animal hospital. Our veterinarians at Shelley Drive Animal Clinic in Tyler offer some answers to common questions regarding fleas and ticks.

Flea and Tick FAQs

Can I Get Fleas and Ticks from My Pet?

Fleas and ticks are not too picky about what kind of creature they get their blood from.

Do Fleas Transmit Diseases to Pets?

Fleas transmit many diseases to pets, including bartonellosis, murine typhus, cat scratch fever, and mycoplasma haemofelis. They also transmit tapeworms. Many pets are allergic to the saliva in flea bites. Flea allergies are one of the most common allergies that a vet sees in cats and dogs.

Do Ticks Transmit Diseases to Pets?

Ticks transmit many diseases, including Lyme disease which both people and dogs can get. They also transmit babesiosis, bartonellosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and cytauxzoonosis. The latter disease is usually transmitted to cats by the Lone Star tick, which is common in Texas.

What Kind of Flea and Tick Prevention Can I Give My Pet?

You can give your pet chewable medications that come in flavors that pets like. Some of these chews also protect against juvenile heartworms. There is also a spot-on treatment, which is placed in between your pet’s shoulder blades. Talk to your vet about which kind would be best for your pet.

Can I Stop Giving My Pets Flea and Tick Prevention in the Winter?

You need to give flea and tick prevention year-round, especially in Texas. Fleas thrive and breed in heated homes. Their eggs can survive for weeks, hatching with the next warm spell. With warmer winters, ticks have been able to live nearly year-round. Some species of ticks hibernate, so they are ready to jump on people or pets when it gets warm.

What Else Can I Do to Prevent Fleas?

A great flea killer is a vacuum cleaner. Adults and juveniles are usually killed by the high heat. Although eggs aren’t killed, they can be removed by vacuuming. Fleas also cannot survive a trip through the washer and drier when you use hot water.

What Else Can I Do to Prevent Ticks?

Keep cats indoors. Check yourself for ticks when you come in after a nature hike or from anywhere there is tall vegetation. Since tick bites do not hurt, your pet will not indicate that anything is wrong. Check your pet regularly for ticks, especially under the tail, under the collar, groin, ears, and belly.

Get Flea and Tick Prevention in Tyler, TX

If you have questions about protecting your pet from parasites and live in the Tyler area, contact Shelley Drive Animal Clinic to speak with one of our veterinarians. Call our team today at (903) 561-7373 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday

8:00 am - 11:30 am

2:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Tuesday

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Wednesday

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Thursday

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Friday

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Saturday

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Monday
8:00 am - 11:30 am 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday
Closed

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