Good pet owners know that they can’t just put out some food and water for their pet and call it a day. Cats, dogs and all other animals need regular attention, affection and medical care—just like humans! One of the most important and easiest things you need to do for your four-legged friend is treat him or her with flea and tick medicine on a regular basis. These are a few of the things your friendly animal clinic in D’Iberville, MS wants you to know about preventative medicine:

• Why it’s important: It should go without saying that flea and tick medicines are important to prevent fleas and ticks from biting your pet and feasting on your pet’s blood. Bites from these nasty creatures can cause a myriad of problems. If fleas and tick bites are left untreated for too long, they can lead to deadly parasites like tapeworms and heartworms, as well as uncomfortable (but usually treatable) diseases.
• How it works: Preventative flea and tick medicines come in several different forms. There are collars that fit comfortably around your pet’s neck, topical medicines that go in between the shoulder blades and easy-to-swallow pills. Although they come in different forms, all of these medicines essentially do the same thing. The various chemicals in each medicine are absorbed into your pet’s skin and quickly kill any bug before they’re able to bite the skin and/or lay eggs. Rest assured that all of these products are safe for both you and your pet. A well-trained veterinarian will be able to recommend the best form of medicine for your pet.
• Where you can buy it: Flea and tick medicine for both dogs and cats can be purchased online and in a variety of different stores, including big box establishments like Target and Walmart. While you can get the medicines over the counter, we recommend buying these medicines from an animal clinic in D’Iberville, MS. These medicines are made by a bunch of different brands. Like every product, each brand has its own pros and cons. We take care to only carry the best brands for your furry friend.
• Other preventative techniques: If you can’t afford flea and tick medicine, or are wary of using it for other reasons, there are a few things you can do to reduce your pet’s risk of catching bad diseases or parasites from a tick bite. First and foremost, you can try to keep your dog or cat out of tall grass or the woods, where fleas and ticks live. Unfortunately, that can be tricky if your pets love being outside. You can keep your grass cut short, and speak to a pest control service about treating your property for ticks.

Call D’Iberville Veterinary Hospital today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Comstock. He’ll be able to identify the best flea and tick medicine for your pet. If the treatment doesn’t work, Dr. Comstock and his staff will also be able to remove any fleas or ticks from your pet. We look forward to helping you keep your pet happy and healthy!