Expert dog flea & tick treatment — from the comfort of home

Fleas and ticks are external parasites that can cause serious health problems for your dog. Understanding these pests is crucial for effective treatment and prevention: • Fleas: Small, wingless insects that feed on your dog's blood. They can jump long distances and reproduce rapidly, making infestations difficult to control. • Ticks: Arachnids that attach to your dog's skin and feed on blood. They can transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and others. • Life Cycle: Both fleas and ticks have complex life cycles that include eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults, making complete elimination challenging. • Environmental Persistence: These parasites can survive in your home environment, including carpets, bedding, and outdoor areas. • Disease Transmission: Beyond causing irritation, fleas and ticks can transmit various diseases to both pets and humans. Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent serious health complications.

Recognizing the signs of flea or tick infestation is crucial for early treatment. Here are the most common symptoms: • Excessive Scratching: If your dog is constantly scratching, biting, or licking themselves, this could indicate flea or tick presence. • Visible Parasites: You may see fleas jumping on your dog's fur or ticks attached to their skin. • Flea Dirt: Small black specks (flea feces) in your dog's fur or on their bedding. • Hair Loss: Patchy hair loss, especially around the base of the tail, can indicate flea allergy dermatitis. • Skin Irritation: Red, inflamed skin, hot spots, or scabs from excessive scratching. • Restlessness: Your dog may seem uncomfortable or unable to settle down. • Pale Gums: In severe cases, blood loss from fleas can cause anemia. • Lethargy: Ticks can transmit diseases that cause fatigue and other symptoms. If you notice any of these signs, it's important to consult with a veterinarian immediately.

At Telavets, we provide comprehensive care for flea and tick infestations, offering convenient virtual consultations and expert guidance: 1. Virtual Assessment Our experienced veterinarians can assess your dog's flea or tick situation through a video consultation, examining visible signs and gathering important information about the infestation. 2. Personalized Treatment Plans Based on the consultation, our vets will create a tailored treatment plan that may include: • Prescription flea and tick medications • Topical treatments or oral medications • Environmental treatment recommendations • Prevention strategies for future infestations • Treatment for any secondary skin infections 3. Disease Testing Guidance If ticks are involved, our vets can determine if testing for tick-borne diseases is necessary. 4. Prescription Medications We can prescribe effective flea and tick treatments and have them delivered to your door the next day. 5. Follow-up Care We'll provide follow-up consultations to ensure the treatment is working and prevent future infestations.

While waiting for veterinary consultation, here are some safe home care measures you can take: 1. Immediate Actions • Use a flea comb to remove visible fleas and flea dirt • Check your dog thoroughly for ticks and remove them carefully • Bathe your dog with a mild, pet-safe shampoo • Wash all bedding, blankets, and toys in hot water 2. Environmental Treatment • Vacuum your home thoroughly, including carpets, furniture, and baseboards • Dispose of vacuum bags immediately • Wash your dog's bedding and any fabric items they use • Consider using pet-safe environmental flea treatments 3. Prevention Measures • Keep your dog on regular flea and tick prevention • Check your dog regularly for signs of parasites • Maintain a clean living environment • Avoid areas known to have high flea or tick populations 4. Tick Removal • Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin • Pull upward with steady, even pressure • Clean the bite area with antiseptic • Save the tick for identification if needed Remember: These are general guidelines. Always consult with a veterinarian for specific advice tailored to your dog's situation.

Preventing flea and tick infestations is much easier than treating them. Here are strategies for long-term protection: • Regular Prevention: Use veterinarian-recommended flea and tick prevention products year-round. • Environmental Management: Keep your yard clean and treat outdoor areas if necessary. • Regular Checks: Inspect your dog regularly for signs of fleas or ticks, especially after outdoor activities. • Proper Grooming: Regular brushing helps detect parasites early and keeps your dog's coat healthy. • Vaccination: Consider tick-borne disease vaccines if you live in high-risk areas. • Professional Treatment: Work with your veterinarian to develop a comprehensive prevention plan. • Seasonal Awareness: Be extra vigilant during peak flea and tick seasons. At Telavets, we're committed to helping you protect your dog from fleas and ticks. Our convenient virtual consultations make it easy to get expert advice whenever you need it, helping you maintain your dog's health and comfort. Don't let fleas and ticks affect your dog's quality of life. Contact Telavets today for expert guidance and effective treatment options.

Understanding the life cycles of fleas and ticks is crucial for effective treatment and prevention: • Flea Life Cycle (2-3 weeks): - Eggs: Laid on the host or in the environment, hatch in 1-10 days - Larvae: Feed on organic debris and flea dirt, develop in 5-11 days - Pupae: Form cocoons, can remain dormant for months - Adults: Emerge and immediately seek a host to feed and reproduce • Tick Life Cycle (2-3 years): - Eggs: Laid in the environment, hatch into larvae - Larvae: Feed on small animals, molt into nymphs - Nymphs: Feed on larger animals, molt into adults - Adults: Feed, mate, and lay eggs • Environmental Hotspots: - Carpets and rugs: Primary breeding grounds for fleas - Pet bedding: High concentration of eggs and larvae - Outdoor areas: Shady, moist areas preferred by ticks - Furniture: Fleas can hide in upholstery and cushions - Baseboards and cracks: Flea larvae thrive in these areas • Environmental Treatment Strategies: - Regular vacuuming: Removes eggs, larvae, and adults - Steam cleaning: Kills fleas at all life stages - Professional pest control: For severe infestations - Yard treatment: Reduces outdoor flea and tick populations Breaking the life cycle is essential for complete elimination.

Various treatment options are available for flea and tick control, each with specific advantages: • Topical Treatments (Spot-on): - Products: Frontline, Advantage, Revolution, Bravecto - Application: Applied directly to skin between shoulder blades - Duration: 1-3 months protection - Advantages: Easy to apply, waterproof, systemic protection • Oral Medications: - Products: NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica, Credelio - Application: Chewable tablets given monthly - Duration: 1-3 months protection - Advantages: No residue, works quickly, systemic protection • Collars: - Products: Seresto, Scalibor - Application: Worn around the neck - Duration: 6-8 months protection - Advantages: Long-lasting, continuous protection • Shampoos and Sprays: - Products: Various over-the-counter options - Application: Applied during bathing or as needed - Duration: Short-term protection - Advantages: Immediate relief, good for existing infestations • Prescription Medications: - Products: Prescribed by veterinarians - Application: Various methods depending on product - Duration: Varies by product - Advantages: Most effective, tailored to specific needs Our veterinarians will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on your dog's specific situation and needs.

Ticks can transmit serious diseases that require immediate veterinary attention: • Lyme Disease: - Symptoms: Lameness, fever, lethargy, joint swelling - Transmission: Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) - Treatment: Antibiotics, early detection crucial - Prevention: Vaccination available in some areas • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: - Symptoms: Fever, lethargy, joint pain, neurological signs - Transmission: Various tick species - Treatment: Antibiotics, can be life-threatening - Prevention: Tick prevention essential • Ehrlichiosis: - Symptoms: Fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, bleeding disorders - Transmission: Brown dog ticks, lone star ticks - Treatment: Antibiotics, blood transfusions if severe - Prevention: Regular tick prevention • Anaplasmosis: - Symptoms: Fever, lethargy, joint pain, vomiting - Transmission: Deer ticks, western black-legged ticks - Treatment: Antibiotics, supportive care - Prevention: Tick prevention and regular checks • Babesiosis: - Symptoms: Fever, anemia, lethargy, dark urine - Transmission: Various tick species - Treatment: Anti-parasitic medications, blood transfusions - Prevention: Tick prevention essential • Flea-Related Complications: - Flea Allergy Dermatitis: Severe itching and skin irritation - Tapeworms: Fleas can transmit tapeworm eggs - Anemia: Severe flea infestations can cause blood loss - Secondary Infections: Bacterial infections from scratching Early detection and treatment of these diseases is crucial for successful recovery.