White House Animal Hospital Blog: Ticks

Showing posts with label Ticks. Show all posts

Monday, November 21, 2016

Tips for Safe Flea Prevention!

Always read all label information before applying medications to your pet,

and ask yourself these questions:

Is my pet the right age for this product?

Many flea medications are not labeled for use in puppies or kittens under 6 months of age.

Do I have the right species of pet for this medication?

There can be potentially fatal reactions with some dog flea medications when applied to cats or rabbits.

Am I about to apply this in the right way?

Is this something that you apply to the skin or give by mouth?

Is there a health reason that my pet should not have this medication?

Always consult with your veterinarian if your pet has any health conditions or is pregnant or nursing.

If you have a cat, talk to your vet to make sure medications you use for your dog are safe around your cat.

Never use multiple flea medications on your pet, unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. (Fleas can be a very frustrating problem, and it can be tempting to say that the medication is not working after a day or so and try another product.) While some flea medications work in different ways and can be used together, many are in the same class of medications, and can build up to toxic levels when used together.

Make sure your veterinarian is your primary source for information about flea medications, not the Internet.

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and garlic (Allium sativum) are commonly recommended online to treat or prevent fleas—but these can cause serious and potentially life-threatening issues. If you want to use alternative flea control or prevention, speak with your vet first to see what they recommend and how to use it most effectively.

Always double-check everything before you apply flea medications to your pet. Many homes have multiple pets and therefore several different flea medications.

If you accidentally get a topical medication in your pet’s eye, first rinse the eye with a sterile eye irrigation solution or room-temperature tap water. Next, contact White House Animal Hospital and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for additional steps to take and signs to monitor for.

If your pet licks some of the medication off his or her body, give them a small amount of their food to help relieve the bad taste. Blot the area with a paper towel. Next, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for additional steps to take and what to watch for.

If you mistakenly apply a dog flea medication to a cat and the cat starts to have shaking, convulsions or seizures, take them immediately to White House Animal Hospital. These signs may take up to 48 hours to occur. If you realize that you have put a dog flea medication on your cat and they aren’t showing any signs yet, contact White House Animal Hospital and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.

White House Animal Hospital has several options available to you, schedule today by calling 615-672-0357 or online for your Flea/Tick preventive consultation. Walk out the door with treatment in hand or have it shipped to your door through our Online Pharmacy!

Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT

White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357

Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pethospital/

Tips for Safe Flea Prevention!

Always read all label information before applying medications to your pet,

and ask yourself these questions:

Is my pet the right age for this product?

Many flea medications are not labeled for use in puppies or kittens under 6 months of age.

Do I have the right species of pet for this medication?

There can be potentially fatal reactions with some dog flea medications when applied to cats or rabbits.

Am I about to apply this in the right way?

Is this something that you apply to the skin or give by mouth?

Is there a health reason that my pet should not have this medication?

Always consult with your veterinarian if your pet has any health conditions or is pregnant or nursing.

If you have a cat, talk to your vet to make sure medications you use for your dog are safe around your cat.

Make sure your veterinarian is your primary source for information about flea medications, not the Internet.

Always double-check everything before you apply flea medications to your pet. Many homes have multiple pets and therefore several different flea medications.

Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT

White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357

Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pethospital/

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Tick or Treat!

Ticks are alive and well this fall.

Some ticks can infest dogs that spend most of their time indoors, and even dogs that only spend brief periods of time outside can have ticks.

Ticks attach to your dog by inserting their mouthparts into your dog’s skin. The places where ticks attach can become red and irritated.

Although rare, ticks can consume enough of your dog’s blood to cause a low blood deficiency called anemia. Certain female ticks can also cause a rare paralysis in dogs as a result of a toxin they produce while feeding. More important, ticks are capable of causing many diseases in your pet such at Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Anaplasmosis, Heartland Virus, Ehrilichiosis, and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness.

Lyme disease can cause arthritis and swelling of your dog’s joints, resulting in painful lameness. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can cause fever, lameness, and other signs. There are also other diseases that ticks can transmit to your dog.

It is very difficult to prevent your dog’s exposure to ticks. Ticks can attach to your dog when he or she goes with you on walks, hikes, or during any outdoor activities.

The best way to prevent ticks from attaching to your dog is by the regular use of tick control products like Nexgard. Your favorite White House Animal Hospital veterinarian can advise you about the best product for your dog and your situation. Your veterinarian is also aware of diseases that are common in your area and can pose a risk to your dog. Schedule to get your pets protected today and when you Purchase 6 does of Nexgard you will get 2 doses for free for the Month of October 2016 at White House Animal Hospital.

Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT

White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357

Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pethospital/

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Start summer off right

Schedule your pet’s annual checkup todayto be sure your pet is healthy!

It’s summer! Time for BBQs, long hikes and refreshing water play! You and your pet enjoy this time of year. It’s filled with activity, fun and food!

There are a few things we have to talk about. First, is your pet eating the right food for their lifestyle? Meeting your pet’s nutritional needs is vital to their health and happiness. So before you take your big hike with Fido or start your movie marathon on the couch with Fluffy, bring in your furry friend for their annual exam.

Second, if your pet is just 10% over their ideal body weight (that may mean 1 lb. for a 10 lb. cat), they are at risk for developing serious medical conditions. Who wants that for their buddy? No way, you say! Come in for a checkup and a pit stop at the scale!

Third, most “people” food is not good for pets, especially from the grill! For example, feeding your pet chicken bones can cause tooth fractures and tear up their digestive tract during digestion.

Fourth, come in today to ensure your pets vaccinations and monthly preventives (Heartworm, Flea, and Tick) are up to date before heading out to the beach, lake, or park. Let us know your vacation destination to ensure proper protection from disease!

Make an online appointment for your pet’s annual checkup today – we’ll give them a thorough physical exam from nose to tail! And we’ll talk about what they’re eating and if we have to make any changes.

Who loves your pet besides you? White House Animal Hospital of Course! Book your pet’s yearly exam today online or call 615-672-0357 Today so we can keep your pet healthy and happy this summer!

Monday, April 11, 2016

Q: Is your pet at risk for any of the following:

A) Fleas

B) Ticks

C) Worms

D) All of the above

A: D) All of the above (and they ALL can be tough to spot!)

Schedule your pet’s annual checkup today at http://www.whitehousevet.com/contactus.html to be sure your pet is healthy and enter your name in the drawing for a Free Supply of Vectra 3D! Get one entry for every multi-pack of Vectra 3D purchase.

Is your dog very tired? Is your cat eating less than usual? These seemingly minor changes may mean your pet has a flea allergy, an internal parasite infection, or a tick-related disease.

Let’s talk about fleas first. The majority of pets don’t have fleas—but many have been bitten because fleas are everywhere! Yes, fleas live outdoors but they can live indoors too – even in really clean homes – year-round in any climate. Fleas will gladly hitch a ride on your pet into your house. And all it takes is one flea bite (specifically the fleas saliva), to set off a full blown skin allergy. Pets may scratch their sides, neck or even lick their paws until they’re red and painful. What pet wants to move around or eat when feeling this miserable?

Internal parasites (such as worms) can infect your pet in a number of ways. Sometimes, it’s hard to know if your pet has them. But left untreated, worms can be dangerous to your pet’s internal organs. They can even cause your pet to lose blood.

Ticks are tricky. Even when you check your pet for ticks they can be tough to find because they’re small and hide well in dark fur. But it’s crucial to find ticks and remove them quickly. Why? Some ticks carry bacteria that cause disease (such as Lyme disease, but there are many others). And all you need is one undetected tick bite for your pet to become infected. They can become sick and develop kidney problems. At times, these diseases can be fatal.

Ugh! Is there any good news?

Yes!

We’re experts when it comes to flea allergies, tick and internal parasite checks at White House Animal Hospital. Even if your pet is on regular monthly preventive, it is still important for us to make sure your pet is healthy. This month you have a chance to win a Free Years Supply of Vectra 3D with every multi-pack purchase of Vectra. Drawing May 1st and June 1st 2016!

Make an appointment for your pet’s annual checkup today online at http://www.whitehousevet.com/contactus.html! – we’ll give them a thorough physical exam from nose to tail. Let’s also confirm the prevention you’re using is right for your pet!

Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT

White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357

Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pethospital/