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While we often think of healthy diets and regular exercise as the primary components of pet care, ensuring our pets’ health also encompasses prevention against diseases and parasites. For pet owners throughout the U.S., fleas and ticks are two common parasites to watch for. While your veterinarian can help you establish a prevention plan for your pet, here are some facts to know to help prepare you for an informed conversation.

What Are Fleas?

Fleas are the most common external parasite found on pets. These tiny, wingless pests feed on an animal’s blood and can live for up to 12 months. Because they lay eggs in an animal’s coat, fleas can produce millions of offspring, which can exacerbate symptoms. In both dogs and cats, symptoms often manifest as scratching, irritated skin, excessive licking or biting at skin, and hair loss.

What Are Ticks?

veterinarianLike fleas, ticks are parasites that feed on their hosts’ blood. Yet, while fleas move about freely, ticks burrow into the skin of their host. Although they may not cause itching and scratching as fleas do, ticks may carry Lyme disease. This condition can cause changes in appetite, joint pain, swelling of the lymph nodes, and kidney failure if left unaddressed. Fortunately, prompt treatment with antibiotics can improve symptoms.

How Can You Prevent Them?

While fleas and ticks tend to be most active in the warmer months, any pet who spends time outdoors is vulnerable to these parasites at any time of year. Thus, year-round prevention is essential to keeping your pet protected.

Veterinarians offer an array of preventive products to keep both fleas and ticks at bay, including collars and topical ointments. If you have a pet with a long or coarse coat, having them groomed regularly can also minimize the risk of picking up pests. Your veterinarian may also recommend the Lyme disease vaccine for your pet to help reduce their risk for the disease.

 

If you’re a pet owner in the Columbia, MO, area, allow the caring staff from Rolling Hills Veterinary Hospital to oversee your pet care needs with their comprehensive services. With two convenient locations, these veterinarians’ offices provide walk-in services for emergencies, as well as scheduled appointments for preventive care, including flea and tick prevention, vaccines, and exams. Browse through their full list of services online or call (573) 449-7387 to reach their Oak Forest location, or (573) 449-3791 for their Keen Estates facility.

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