The most common questions we get asked are about fleas & ticks and how to prevent them, especially with the tick population in our area rapidly rising every year. They can both be a nasty pain to deal with, but luckily, there are many great products available to stop them from becoming a problem for you and your furry friend!
How can you tell if your dog has fleas & ticks?
The #1 symptom of a flea problem is noticing your dog scratching or chewing at their skin a lot. If you see this, you should run your fingers through the fur or use a fine tooth comb to see if you can find any fleas. You can also see if the dirt on your dog’s skin is flea dirt by wetting it on a paper towel. Flea dirt will turn red because it is just digested blood. For ticks, you should regularly check your dog’s body during the warmer months, for any small lumps that may be attached ticks.
How do you prevent fleas & ticks in dogs?
The easiest way to fend off fleas and ticks on your dog is to use a safe veterinarian-recommended preventative, such as Revolution or Bravecto. It is best to talk to your veterinarian to choose the best option for your dog’s lifestyle and risk level. Please call us at 506-388-8880 if you would like to make an appointment!
What are the treatment options for ticks in dogs?
The only treatment for a tick on your dog is to remove it! The best way to do this is with a “tick twister,” which is a small plastic device that slides around the tick at the skin, and by twisting and pulling out, will fully remove the tick. It is also possible to do with tweezers, however, it is much easier to accidentally leave the tick’s head behind this way, which could lead to an infection. If you notice a tick on your dog and don’t want to remove it yourself, you can always come in and get us to remove it for you at no charge!
