Pesky fleas don’t just leave your furry friends feeling itchy. They can cause a number of serious health problems, including tapeworms, anemia, and Bartonella infection. If you want to keep your animal friend healthy and happy, there are a few pet medications and flea prevention methods you should be aware of. 

How to Treat Fleas

Oral Pet Medication

Many pets shy away or even bite and bark when approached with topical medicine. Oral treatments, however, can be given just like flavored treats, so your pets won’t even know they’re being medicated. Many oral flea medications also protect against other pests and intestinal parasites. 

Topical Treatments

Topical flea prevention can immediately soothe your pet and keep them from biting and scratching. Additionally, topical treatments work well as a preventative, whereas oral treatments require your pet to already have fleas. Some animals might be sensitive to oral pet medications and may suffer adverse symptoms such as an upset stomach or diarrhea; in these situations, a topical gel could have fewer side effects. 

Preventative Pest Control

Fleas favor long grass and shady, cool spots—so to prevent an infestation, cut your lawn regularly and remove any wood or leaf piles. Insecticides are also a good way to expel parasites from your property, but you’ll need to wear a dust mask and long sleeves and pants before you start spraying. Keep children and pets inside and follow the product label carefully. Don’t let your anyone into your backyard until the product is dry.

You might also need to follow up with a second treatment several weeks after the first, and try to limit your pet’s time in the yard until the fleas are completely eradicated. Pay particular attention to the areas where your pet spends the most time—for example, the dog house or porch. 

If you want to keep your pets safe from fleas, you need to minimize their exposure by maintaining your yard and using preventative treatments. If your animal has fleas already, speak with a professional at Animal Health Center in Enterprise, AL, to decide which treatment will work best. They are a small animal hospital that specializes in emergency vet services, pet surgery, pet boarding, and pet medication. For more information, visit their website and give them a call at (334) 347-0544.