Protect Your Pets Heartworms are Hurtful, Fleas no Fun, Ticks are Terrible

It’s time for the summer trifecta! No, it’s not a triathlon or a Spartan race. It’s heartworm disease, fleas and ticks. As people spend more time walking their dogs and hiking, we’re seeing an increase in parasites.
There are three new species of mosquitoes that are invading Southern California. With our traditionally dry climate, we have lower numbers of mosquitoes than more humid areas of the United States. However, these new mosquitoes can survive in drought areas, and they are bringing heartworm disease into locations where we have not seen it before. Animals are bit by these mosquitoes and the microscopic heartworms travel to the heart and lungs. Fortunately, there are monthly heartworm preventatives that are 100% effective.
Fleas are the next pest we have been seeing with more frequency. Fleas can carry tapeworms and can cause a flea allergy dermatitis, making your poor pup or kitty itchy and miserable. We have great products to treat for fleas, but it can take three months to eradicate a flea infestation. Prevention is a lot easier than eradication.
Ticks are found in more wooded areas, so a quick hike in the mountains or a weekend camping trip could expose you and your animals to ticks. Ticks carry a number of diseases like Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The flea products we recommend also protect against ticks, so one monthly preventative will cover both. My animals get a monthly heartworm and a monthly flea/tick preventative year-round.
Call your veterinarian to get your animals protected. Let’s put some social distancing between your animals and parasites!
Stevenson Ranch Veterinary Center is located at 25832 Hemingway Ave.
Santa Clarita, CA 91381 and you can reach us at (661) 799-065. Visit our website for more information: www.srvc.com.