Fleas can cause problems for pets ranging from minor to life-threatening. Not only can these parasites cause severe itching, irritation, and allergies, but they can also transmit tapeworms and other diseases. Fleas can infest dogs, cats, ferrets, mice, and rats. Also, fleas don’t just stay on pets, they can bite you and other household members too. You don’t want these blood-sucking parasites on your pet or in your home. We can help you keep them away or help you get rid of them if they’ve already found their way inside. Call us at 905-962-9393 to find out how to eliminate and control fleas or to start your pet on prevention today.
Ticks are becoming more and more common in Ontario, and they’re now being found in areas where people and pets didn’t previously encounter these parasites. They aren’t just a nuisance, they can cause serious—and sometimes deadly—diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick paralysis, and more. Contact us immediately at 905-962-9393 if your pet starts coughing or has joint pain, trouble breathing, fever, weakness, or loss of appetite, weight, energy, or coordination. Keep ticks off your pet by keeping your dog or cat on tick prevention. Even if your pet is indoor-only, they are at risk because ticks can hitch a ride inside on your clothing or shoes. Tick prevention is a safe and effective way to control ticks and the diseases they carry. Call us to get your beloved pet protected today! Don’t panic if you find a tick on your dog or cat, even if your pet is on a preventive. Our prevention kills ticks after they’ve come in contact with your pet. Ticks can hide under your pet’s fur or in the most devious spots, so as an added measure of protection, we recommend checking your pet for ticks every time your pet comes in from a walk or hike.
Mites can affect any animal (even reptiles and birds). They can be treated in many different ways depending on the type of mite and your species of pet. Mites cannot be seen by the naked eye, so a sample is required to be taken, and looked at under our in-house microscope to efficiently diagnose your pet with mites. It is important to determine the type of mite on your pet, to properly clear them of the infestation
Heartworm, when they bite, mosquitoes can transmit heartworm infection. These parasites can severely and sometimes fatally damage the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Some pets may not show any signs of infection, in those that do, symptoms can vary widely. In dogs, signs of heartworm disease can range from coughing, fatigue, and weight loss to difficulty breathing and a swollen abdomen. Canine heartworm infection can also lead to a life-threatening complication called caval syndrome, a form of liver failure, without prompt surgical intervention, this condition usually causes death.
Although not common, cats can also get heartworms. Heartworm infection is more difficult to diagnose in cats than it is in dogs.
Treatment for heartworm infection is far more expensive than prevention, and it can end with fatality to your dog. Unfortunately, there is no approved treatment for cats. Fortunately, there’s a way to keep your dog or cat safe: by administering monthly heartworm preventives.
At Fletcher Veterinary Hospital, our product of choice for your dog is Simparica Trio. It is an oral chew, broad spectrum parasiticide, that covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, and certain mites.
For your cat, we offer Nexgard Combo, which is a topical, broad spectrum parasiticide, that covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, and certain mites.