The daffodils bloomed and the weather's getting warmer. We're out and about again - but so are the bugs! It's time to double check that your pet is protected from fleas and ticks.

Flea and tick prevention come in both oral and topical doses. Orals are preferred: they're easy to give and won't wash off with swimming or bathing. There's no concern about separating kids and pets every month. Orals also start to kill fleas faster than the topical products - some in as little as 2 hours!

There are two main oral products currently available for dogs: Nexgard and Bravecto. Both are chewable tablets that most dogs will take like a treat. (Cat folk, sorry, but there are no oral long-acting flea preventions for cats yet.)

• Nexgard is given once a month.

• Bravecto is given every 12 weeks. 

We can help you decide which is best for your pup.

Topical flea and tick preventatives come in many shapes and sizes. Make sure to read the labels carefully and always use a product marked specifically for your pet.

• Revolution protects against fleas and offers additional mite and internal parasite and heartworm control. It's a great choice for cats, both indoor and out. 
• Frontline, Advantage/Advantix, and Vectra are all safe flea and tick preventatives when used as labeled and efficacious. 
• The oil-based products (Frontline, Advantage/Advantix) require that the pet not be bathed for 72 hours before or after a dose. 
• Vectra requires that the pet be dry when the product is applied. Vectra has the added benefit of repelling biting insects like mosquitoes. 
• There are many generic flea products available as well. Use caution - we've seen reactions to the products and they often just fail to work.

Give us a call (791-7912). We at the Montgomery Animal Hospital want your pet to have a flea-free summer, and the best way to do that is to start preventing them now.

Photo: Donnie Ray Jones www.flickr.com