Tick and Flea Prevention in Asbury Park
City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital provides your pet with treatments and products for flea and tick prevention in Asbury Park, NJ. We provide safe and effective flea and tick prevention for cats and dogs. If your pet is constantly scratching or biting at themselves or feeling general discomfort due to fleas and ticks, we can help. We offer our furry patients products and services to alleviate their pain and rid them of fleas and ticks. Our services will make you and your pet comfortable and happy again. Feel free to contact us and schedule an appointment.
Does My Pet Have Fleas?
Fleas may be challenging to locate. Fleas are nearly microscopic, making them especially hard to see. However, if you find fleas on your pet or around your home, City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital recommends seeking treatment immediately. Your pet’s flea problem has already begun and held off on getting help will worsen the situation.
Luckily, there are ways to check your pet if you suspect they are suffering from a flea infestation. Some common signs that fleas are present include:
- Biting and Scratching: Fleas are parasitic creatures who bite animals and feed on their bloodstream. The bites cause itching and irritation, which in turn causes your pet discomfort. If your pet is scratching or biting at themselves more than usual, you should comb through their hair and see if fleas are present.
- Skin Irritation: Excessive biting and scratching cause distress on your pet’s skin. Red rash-like marks, bald spots and even bleeding skin indicate that your pet is trying to relieve itself of invasive fleas. Make sure to be gentle with your pet when checking for fleas because their skin might be tender from scratching and biting.
- Black Spots: Strange black specks peppered throughout your pet’s skin are evidence of “Flea dirt”, which is actually flea feces.
Flea Prevention for Cats and Dogs
The best way to eliminate fleas and prevent them from bothering your pet in the future is by consulting with a veterinary professional.
Our veterinarians will educate you on the treatments and medications to help your pet. We will discuss the best medication for your pet in order to control flea infestation, as well as options for treating secondary skin irritation. We recommend consulting with a veterinarian if you’re considering over-the-counter flea medications for your pet.
Does My Pet Have Ticks?
Ticks are easier to spot than fleas because they are often much larger. These parasites can cause your pet irritation and discomfort, but they can also pose a threat to your pet’s health and well-being. Estimates say that up to 60% of untreated dogs in New Jersey have tested positive for Lyme disease.
Other pet health risks associated with ticks include anemia, skin irritation, and rare paralysis. Some risks can be life-threatening. Therefore, checking your cat or dog for ticks is vital to ensuring their safety.
Tick Prevention for Cats and Dogs
If you find a tick on your pet, remove it as quickly and carefully as possible. Removal is performed best by applying to spread the fur and gently grasping and pulling the tick as close to its head as possible with tweezers or a small instrument called a tick twister.
Tick Prevention During the Winter
Many pet owners let their guard down and halt tick and flea prevention during the winter. This is due to a false belief that ticks and fleas die during colder weather. Unfortunately, ticks and fleas don’t die in the cold. Instead, they hibernate and lay dormant. As winter chill approaches, these parasites seek shelter and a place to feed. Pets remain ideal feeding grounds during the winter.
We recommend maintaining regular treatments for pets year-round, regardless of the season. A routine veterinary schedule will keep your pets safe and reduce the risk of parasite invasion.
Contact Us to Schedule an Appointment
Finding ticks or fleas on your furry friend may cause stress, confusion, and worry, but there is help. We’ll assess your pet and form treatment plans that address their needs. You’ll feel comfortable knowing your furry companion is receiving loving, effective treatments to eliminate their pain and discomfort. Your pet will once again live a happy, carefree life through our veterinary services. Contact us today to learn more about our services