MCKNIGHT VETERINARY HOSPITAL IS NOW FOCUSING ON PREVENTATIVE CARE AS A GENERAL PRACTICE.

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks bring discomfort and disease, highlighting the need for consistent prevention.

Fleas and ticks are two of the most common parasites that can be found on your dog. Fleas are wingless insects that live on blood and can jump up to two feet. Ticks also feed on the blood of their host, but unlike fleas, they can transmit diseases.

How can I tell if my dog has fleas or ticks?

Symptoms of fleas include excessive scratching, itching or biting at the skin, flea eggs, flea dirt, allergic dermatitis, hair loss, scabs, and hot spots. Flea species and disease depend on where you live.

How can I prevent fleas and ticks on my dog?

There are a number of different preventative medication for fleas and ticks. The products used can differ from clinic to clinic. It is always best to seek advice from your Veterinarian in regards to flea and tick prevention. Many of the commercially available products are also able to treat other parasites as well.

What are the treatment options for dogs who have ticks?

Treatment is handled much the same was as prevention. The animal is administered a medication that will kill off the fleas or ticks that are biting them. It is important to use tick prevention with your pet as ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichia, and Tularemia.

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