Posts in Category: Fleas Ticks & Heartworm

We finally have the newest generation of oral flea and tick control.  Bravecto® (fluralaner) is a tablet that is administered as a chewable treat to your dog EVERY 12 WEEKS!  The tablet is SAFE and EFFECTIVE at treating and preventing FLEAS AND TICKS.

Fleas are the #1 cause of skin disease in dogs. Most dogs are allergic to flea bites; much like people are allergic to poison ivy.  Dogs will scratch and chew at their skin causing rashes, hot spots, hair loss, and skin infections. Ticks are the leading cause of infectious disease in dogs. Lyme disease is only one of many diseases transmitted by ticks.  Other common tick-transmitted diseases can affect blood cells, kidneys, and other organs. Tick prevention is essential to prevent these serious and common diseases.

One of the trade-offs to the warm weather is, of course, insects. Whether they’re buzzing or crawling around, lying in wait, or simply minding their own business, bugs of all kinds can present serious problems for pets. Painful bites can lead to swelling and itching, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Poisonous stings and even life-threatening bacteria, viruses, or parasites should be prevented. But how do you keep pets and bugs apart?

Anyone who has visited the veterinarian knows that heartworm preventives are an important element of your pet’s regular wellness care. Besides the need to give your pet this preventive each month, how much do you really know about heartworm and pets? Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital is here to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about heartworm in pets so you can keep your dogs and cats healthy throughout the year:

Stemming from the erroneous idea that indoor-only cats experience few (if any) risks related to their environment, many cat owners forego parasite prevention. The truth is, regardless of their lifestyle cats are prime targets for various internal and external bloodsuckers. This makes the most sense during the summer, but do cats really need year-round medication to prevent health problems? Without a doubt, every cat needs parasite prevention all 12 months of the year.

The season of the outdoors is officially here. If your dog likes to spend time outside with you, you may be thinking of backyard romps, hiking together, and even traveling to enjoy some serious outdoor adventures together.

When it comes to spending time outside, ticks are always a concern, especially in grassy or forested areas. What can you do to prevent ticks and the diseases they can spread to pets and people? Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital explores.  

You may not be able to wrap your sweet kitten in bubble wrap to protect him from the world, but we are getting better and better at providing excellent defense against potential problems.

Parasites are one of the biggest threats to our pets. Whether it’s heartworm disease carried by mosquitoes, Lyme disease in the tick population, or fleas in out their glory, parasites are a problem. Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital is excited to be able to offer the latest and greatest in parasite prevention for those of the feline persuasion – Zoetis’ Revolution Plus.

If you have a dog, you’ve probably heard about heartworm. Most dog owners are familiar with this threat to their dog’s health, and many know that heartworm prevention is important for dogs. But what about cats?

Heartworm in cats is a growing concern in the veterinary community, but many cat owners don’t know that heartworm is a real threat to their cat’s life. In fact, studies show that less than 5% of cat owners use heartworm prevention in comparison to 50% of dog owners.

With that in mind, Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital thought it was time to have a heart-to-heart chat about heartworm in cats. Continue…

Parasites tend to be unpleasant things, and with summer upon us, it may seem like they’re everywhere, just waiting to latch on to your pet! What’s more, seasonal activities, like barbecuing or hiking, can expose your pet to parasites.

Most of us are already familiar with fleas and ticks, but did you know there are other parasites that can also be problematic for your pet? Let’s go beyond the basics to learn more about preventing parasites in pets.

Internal Parasites in Pets

Have you ever wondered why we want to examine your pet’s poop every year? It’s to check for evidence (eggs) of intestinal parasites. Many of these are common in pets, and some are even zoonotic (can be transmitted to humans). Here are some of the most common types of parasites in pets: Continue…

Does your pet enjoy the outdoors? Do you travel together to grassy or forested areas between Maine and Virginia? What about simply hanging out in the backyard? If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, then your pet could easily be exposed to ticks. These creepy, crawly bugs have a terrible reputation for spreading Lyme disease in pets (and people). However, just because they’re likely to cross paths with these blood-hungry parasites doesn’t mean the animals we love should be easy targets.

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The winter thaw is on the horizon, and in our neck of the woods, that means we start thinking about longer days, gardening, and….The coming mosquito season! Although steamy days and nights might bring with them summer fun, the mosquitoes that also come with warm weather are definitely not welcome. Not only are they annoying for you, but they could also pose a serious health threat to your pet.

Here are some of the basics of heartworm prevention from your friends at Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital.

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