Stop the itch — treat fleas & ticks from home

Fleas and ticks might be tiny, but they can cause big problems for your cat. Let's take a closer look at these pesky parasites: • Fleas: These small, wingless insects are the most common external parasite found on cats. They feed on your cat's blood, cause intense itching, and can multiply rapidly—a single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day! Beyond the uncomfortable itching, fleas can cause flea allergy dermatitis, transmit tapeworms, and even lead to anemia in severe cases, especially in kittens. • Ticks: These arachnids attach themselves to your cat's skin and feed on their blood. Unlike fleas, ticks don't typically infest homes, but they can transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. While less common in cats than dogs, ticks can still pose a significant health risk, especially for outdoor cats. The lifecycle of these parasites makes them particularly difficult to eliminate. Fleas spend only about 5% of their time on your cat—the rest is spent in your home environment as eggs, larvae, and pupae. This means that effective flea control requires treating both your cat and your home. For ticks, prevention is key, as removing them properly can be tricky, and leaving any part of the tick embedded in your cat's skin can lead to infection or disease transmission. At Telavets, we understand how uncomfortable and potentially dangerous these parasites can be for your cat, and we're here to help you keep your feline friend parasite-free and feeling their best!

Spotting fleas or ticks on your cat early can help prevent a full-blown infestation and reduce the risk of related health issues. Here are some telltale signs to watch for: Signs of Fleas: • Excessive Scratching, Licking, or Biting: If your cat is constantly scratching, especially around the neck, tail base, or belly, fleas might be the culprit. • Visible Fleas or "Flea Dirt": Fleas are small, dark brown insects about the size of a pinhead. You might spot them moving through your cat's fur, especially near the base of the tail or along the spine. "Flea dirt" (flea feces) looks like tiny black pepper-like specks in your cat's fur. If you're not sure if it's dirt or flea droppings, place the specks on a damp paper towel—if they dissolve into reddish-brown streaks (actually digested blood), it's flea dirt. • Hair Loss or Red, Irritated Skin: Flea bites can cause inflammation, and excessive scratching can lead to hair loss, particularly along the back, tail, and hind legs. • Flea Allergy Dermatitis: Some cats are allergic to flea saliva, which can cause intense itching, redness, scabbing, and sometimes open sores. • Pale Gums: In severe infestations, especially in kittens or elderly cats, significant blood loss from flea feeding can lead to anemia, characterized by pale gums. Signs of Ticks: • Visible Ticks: Unlike fleas, ticks are larger and easier to spot. They appear as small, round bumps attached to your cat's skin, often around the head, neck, ears, or paws. Ticks can vary in color from brown to black or grayish, and they grow larger as they feed on blood. • Localized Irritation: You might notice redness, swelling, or irritation around the area where a tick is attached. • Unusual Behavior: If a tick is causing discomfort, your cat may paw at the area or show increased irritability. • Fever or Lethargy: If a tick has transmitted an illness, your cat might develop fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, or joint pain, depending on the disease. If you notice any of these signs, it's important to check your cat thoroughly and seek veterinary advice. With Telavets, you can schedule a virtual consultation to get expert guidance on identifying, treating, and preventing fleas and ticks—all without the stress of a clinic visit for you or your cat.

Dealing with fleas and ticks can be frustrating, but Telavets makes it easy to get expert care for your cat without ever leaving home. Here's how we can help: 1. Virtual Consultations – Expert Diagnosis from Home Not sure if those specks in your cat's fur are fleas or just dirt? Can't tell if that bump is a tick or something else? Our experienced veterinarians can help you identify the problem through a video consultation. We'll examine your cat virtually, ask about their symptoms, and help determine if fleas, ticks, or something else is causing your cat's discomfort. 2. Personalized Treatment Plans Every cat is unique, and so is their flea or tick situation. After assessing your cat's condition, we'll create a customized treatment plan that may include: • Prescription Flea and Tick Medications: We can prescribe effective treatments that kill adult fleas and ticks, as well as products that interrupt the flea lifecycle to prevent reinfestation. • Environmental Management Tips: We'll provide advice on how to treat your home environment to eliminate fleas at all life stages. • Skin Care Recommendations: If your cat has developed skin irritation or an infection from flea bites, we can recommend or prescribe treatments to soothe their skin and help them heal. • Tick Removal Guidance: We can walk you through the proper technique for removing a tick if your cat has one attached, or recommend when it's best to seek in-person care. 3. Next-Day Medication Delivery – Quick Relief for Your Cat Once we've created a treatment plan, we'll send any prescribed medications directly to your door with our next-day delivery service. Your cat can start treatment quickly, without you having to make a trip to the pharmacy or pet store. 4. Preventative Care Planning The best way to deal with fleas and ticks is to prevent them in the first place! We can help you develop a year-round prevention strategy that fits your cat's lifestyle, whether they're indoor-only or enjoy some outdoor adventures. We'll recommend the safest, most effective preventatives and create a schedule to ensure your cat stays protected. 5. Follow-Up Support Flea infestations in particular can sometimes require ongoing management. We offer follow-up consultations to monitor your cat's progress, make adjustments to their treatment plan if needed, and ensure that the parasites are fully eliminated. With Telavets, you can address your cat's flea and tick issues quickly, effectively, and with minimal stress for both of you. Our convenient telemedicine approach means your cat can get the care they need without a stressful trip to the clinic, and you can get expert veterinary advice without disrupting your day.

Protecting your cat from fleas and ticks involves both prevention and treatment. Here's what you need to know about keeping these parasites at bay: Prevention Strategies: • Regular Preventative Medications: The most effective way to prevent fleas and ticks is through regular use of preventative medications. These can come in various forms: - Topical treatments applied to the skin (usually monthly) - Oral medications (monthly or every three months) - Flea collars (which can last up to 8 months) • Home Environment Management: Vacuum your home regularly, especially areas where your cat spends time, to remove flea eggs and larvae. Wash your cat's bedding in hot water weekly. • Yard Maintenance: Keep your lawn mowed and remove leaf litter to reduce tick habitats if your cat goes outdoors. • Regular Checks: Make it a habit to check your cat for fleas and ticks regularly, especially after they've been outdoors or if they've been in contact with other animals. Treatment Options: • Fast-Acting Flea Treatments: If your cat already has fleas, your vet might recommend a fast-acting treatment to kill adult fleas quickly and provide immediate relief. • Flea Growth Inhibitors: These products prevent flea eggs from hatching and larvae from developing, breaking the flea lifecycle. • Environmental Treatment: Treating your home is essential for eliminating a flea infestation. This might include sprays, foggers, or professional pest control services. • Tick Removal: If your cat has a tick, it needs to be removed carefully to avoid leaving the mouthparts embedded in the skin. We can guide you through this process or recommend when professional removal is necessary. • Secondary Issue Treatment: If your cat has developed skin infections, allergic reactions, or other complications from fleas or ticks, additional medications like antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs may be needed. Safety Considerations: • Not all flea and tick products are safe for cats. Never use dog products on cats unless specifically labeled for both species, as some ingredients (like permethrin) that are safe for dogs can be toxic to cats. • Some cats may be more sensitive to certain products. It's important to monitor your cat after applying a new treatment and contact your vet if you notice any adverse reactions. • Pregnant, nursing, very young, elderly, or sick cats may need special considerations when it comes to parasite prevention. At Telavets, we stay up-to-date on the latest, safest, and most effective flea and tick products for cats. We can help you navigate the many options available and choose the right prevention and treatment approach for your cat's specific situation, lifestyle, and health status.

When it comes to protecting your cat from fleas and ticks, Telavets offers a convenient, stress-free way to get expert care. Here's why our telemedicine approach is perfect for flea and tick issues: • Convenience: No need to transport your stressed, scratching cat to the vet clinic. Get expert advice from the comfort of your home, where your cat feels safe and comfortable. • Quick Access to Care: Flea infestations can escalate quickly, and tick-borne diseases are best treated early. With Telavets, you can get a consultation within 24 hours, rather than waiting days for an in-clinic appointment. • Expert Veterinary Knowledge: Our veterinarians are experienced in diagnosing and treating flea and tick issues in cats. We can help you identify the problem, recommend the most effective treatments, and create a prevention plan. • Next-Day Medication Delivery: Once we've prescribed treatment, you'll receive the medications at your door the next day, allowing you to start treatment right away. • Ongoing Support: Flea infestations in particular can be stubborn and may require adjustments to your treatment approach. We're here to provide follow-up care and ensure your cat gets complete relief. • Education and Prevention: We don't just treat the current problem—we help you understand how to prevent future issues with tailored advice for your cat's specific situation. • Cost-Effective Care: Our telemedicine consultations are often more affordable than in-clinic visits, and our focused approach means you're not paying for services you don't need. Don't let fleas and ticks make your cat miserable—with Telavets, effective relief and prevention is just a video call away. We'll help you eliminate these parasites and keep them from coming back, so your cat can be comfortable, itch-free, and healthy.