Frontline, Advantix, Nexgard, Oh My!, 4 Common Questions about Flea/ Tick/ Heartworm Prevention
What parasites do products protect against?
There is not a “one size fits all” flea/tick/ Heartworm prevention. Flea, tick, and heartworm preventive products range from oral chews, topicals, collars, injectable, and more! With so many products on the market, it can be very difficult to pick an appropriate for your pet.
Here is a link that can be used as a quick reference preventive guide: https://capcvet.org/parasite-product-applications/. Your veterinarian team can help you choose preventive products that is ideal for your pet and their lifestyle.
How often should I use/apply the product?
Fleas, ticks, and heartworms can be a threat to your pet all year long! Fleas can survive in near-freezing conditions and are not entirely inactive during winter. Ticks are widespread throughout Ohio and can be encountered all year long. The tick that carries Lyme disease (the Blacklegged tick adults) are active during the spring, fall, and winter. Therefore, we recommend flea/ tick/heartworm prevention all year long to keep your pet safe.
Not all preventive products are effective for the same length of time. Most oral chews are effective for 30 days. Topical preventives can range from 30 days to 84 days. Proheart (Injectable heartworm prevention) can last 6 or 12 months.
If you have questions or concerns about the dose frequency of your pets prevention, ask your veterinarian team!
What should I do if my pet has a reaction to the product?
Common signs that your pet may have a reaction to prevention product are excessive itching, skin redness or irritation, abnormal behaviors, or potentially seizures. It is important to make sure that prevention products are labeled for your pet’s life stage, weight range, and species. Dog products should NOT be used on cats! Cats can be harmed by using dog preventive products!
If you think that your pet has a reaction to a prevention product, discontinue immediately and call your veterinarian.
Why should I get prevention products from my veterinarian?
We get our prevention products directly from the manufacturers. Veterinarian products also come with a manufactures guarantee, so if for some reason your pet were to have a reaction to a product or to develop health conditions related to fleas/ ticks, or heartworms, the company may be able to help pay for some of the medications and/or treatments needed.
Some breeds can be sensitive to certain ingredients in prevention products that can cause side effects or neurological signs. Prevention products also have minimum age and weight ranges that are very important to follow so as not to cause adverse reactions to your pet.
Your veterinarian team can make specific prevention recommendations for your pet so that they are safe and healthy!
