Fleas, Ticks and Worms | Keeping Your Dog Healthy

When it comes to our beloved furry friends, keeping them healthy and happy is a top priority. Unfortunately, our dogs can be vulnerable to a variety of parasites, including fleas, ticks, and worms. These pesky creatures can not only cause discomfort for our pets but can also pose serious health risks. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of preventing and treating fleas, ticks, and worms, as well as some tips and techniques for keeping our dogs safe and healthy. By staying vigilant and taking proactive measures, we can help our four-legged companions stay free from these common parasites and enjoy a happy and healthy life.

Worming

You should worm your dog every month up to 6 months of age. After this, every 3 months is usually enough to prevent problems. They may need to be wormed more regularly if they scavenge a lot. Any dog can be wormed as often as once a month.

Signs That Your Dog Has Worms:

1. Diarrhoea, sometimes containing blood or mucus.
2. Vomiting which can contain adult worms.
3. Weight loss, especially if your dog has a good and healthy appetite.
4. A dull and dry coat.
5. Excessive scooting and chewing at their bottom.

To prevent and to treat worms our pet team recommend using Beaphar One Dose Wormer.

Ticks

Ticks can attach themselves onto your dog when on walks, hikes, or any other outdoor activities. The best way to prevent ticks is to regularly use tick control products. If your dog does have a tick, the majority of the time they will not cause harm to your pet if removed properly. Bacterial infections can develop at the site of a bite if removed improperly.

Treating Ticks:

You can remove ticks with tweezers or ‘tick removers‘.

1. Grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
3. Don’t twist or jerk the tick, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin which can cause infection.
4. Once the tick is removed, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
5. Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or placing it in a sealed bag/container.

Remember to monitor your dog for any signs of illness after removing a tick, and consult a vet if you have any concerns.

We have a few spot-on tick treatments in store which are suitable for dogs of all sizes. We also have products by Vet’s Best Natural Healthcare which is plant based. The products include wipes and a spray which are a carefully-formulated blend of natural peppermint oil and clove extract to control and kill fleas, flea eggs, and ticks on contact.

Fleas

Fleas are one of the most common problems in dogs. If not treated regularly, they can result in health complications.

Common Signs of Fleas to Look Out For:

• Excessive itching or biting the skin.
• Hair loss
• Visible eggs on the fur

Fleas can cause excessive itching which can tear or damage the skin sometimes causing bacterial infections. In extreme circumstances, this can pose a long-term threat to their health.

We stock a range of products to help treat and control the spread of fleas including Fiprotec Spot-On Solutions, Vet’s Best Natural Healthcare plant based products and Animology Flea & Tick Shampoo. To prevent fleas from lingering in the house, home sprays are good to use on upholstery and pet bedding!