Parasite Prevention and Treatment

A flea, mite or tick infestation is every pet owner’s nightmare. So what’s the solution? Our clinic recommends parasite prevention treatment, adapted to your pet and the different seasons.

How do I know if my pet has fleas or ticks?

As soon as the thermometer reaches 4 °C, tick activity increases you have to be extra vigilant, as the little critters are on the hunt for blood. A tick that has not fed on blood can be the size of a poppy seed—small but still visible to the naked eye. After feeding, a tick can grow to up to four times that size. Ticks usually attach themselves to the paws or face of your pet. Using a fine-tooth comb can help you spot ticks in long or dark-coloured fur.

A pet infested with fleas will have what looks like little black commas on their back. These black marks are actually feces and dried blood. If you’re unsure whether or not your pet has fleas, we can help identify the problem at the clinic.

I just found a tick on my pet. What should I do?

You might want to panic, but it’s important to keep calm. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease. Put on a pair of surgical gloves and use regular or specialized tweezers (Tick Twister®) to remove it. Then contact the clinic so we can follow up.

How can indoor cats get fleas?

Fleas are parasites that can make their way into your home on clothing, shoes, packages, plants or animal visitors.

How do fleas affect my pet?

Flea bites can cause skin irritation and, occasionally, allergic reactions. If the infestation is large enough, your pet could experience anemia as a result, lose its fur and scratch, causing sores and scabs. Fleas can also transmit other parasites like worms or bacteria, so it is very important to ensure your pet receives preventative treatment.