They’re gross. They’re annoying. And unfortunately, they’re not going anywhere.
If you’ve ever found a flea crawling across your dog’s belly or pulled a tick out from between your pet’s toes, you already know the feeling:
“EWWWW. Where did THAT come from?”
Fleas and ticks aren’t just a nuisance. They are tiny parasites that can cause significant health problems for our pets—and some of the diseases they carry can affect people, too.
And here in East Tennessee, we have plenty of opportunities to encounter them.
Ticks can be active throughout much of the year, and pets can bring them right through your front door. The CDC specifically warns that dogs and cats can transport ticks into the home, where those ticks can then bite people.
That means protecting your pet is also one piece of protecting your family.
Ticks: Tiny Parasites With a Big Problem
Ticks aren’t insects. They’re arachnids—and they are remarkably good at finding a host.
A tick can hitch a ride on your dog after a walk through the woods, your backyard, a grassy area, or even somewhere you wouldn’t expect.
Then it can end up in your home.
And a tick doesn’t have to stay attached to your pet forever. A crawling tick can eventually find another host—including you.
- Ticks can transmit diseases including:
- Lyme disease
- Ehrlichiosis
- Anaplasmosis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Babesiosis
- Other bacterial and viral diseases
Many of these illnesses can cause very similar, vague symptoms in people and pets: fever, lethargy, weakness, poor appetite, muscle or joint pain, and sometimes vomiting, diarrhea or neurologic changes.That can make them surprisingly difficult to recognize at first.
And here’s the scary part… A pet doesn’t have to “give” you a tick-borne disease.
The tick does. Your pet can simply act as the transportation system that brings that tick into your house.
When Your Pet’s Illness Is a Warning for the Whole Family
This isn’t just a theoretical concern.
The CDC has documented situations in which dogs and their owners were infected with the same tick-borne disease.
In one particularly sobering example, a dog became severely ill with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The dog’s illness—and ultimately its death—helped doctors recognize that the dog’s owner was also sick with the same disease.
Think about that for a moment. The dog wasn’t just a patient. The dog’s illness was a clue that someone in the family was in danger, too.
That is one of the reasons we take tick prevention so seriously at Creekside Veterinary Hospital. When we protect your pet from ticks, we’re not just trying to prevent an itchy spot on their skin.
We’re trying to reduce the number of disease-carrying parasites that ever make it into your home.
What Can Tick-Borne Disease Look Like in Your Dog?
Sometimes, your dog looks perfectly normal after a tick bite. Some dogs have very subtle symptoms. Others can become seriously ill.
You may notice:
- Suddenly being tired or “just not themselves”
- Fever
- Decreased appetite
- Weakness
- Stiffness or reluctance to move
- Painful or swollen joints
- Vomiting or diarrhea• Pale gums
- Bruising or bleeding
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Neurologic changes
- Coughing or breathing changes
And unfortunately, you may never see the tick that caused the problem.
Don’t Forget the Cats!
Cats are incredibly good at hiding things.
They may not show obvious signs of illness until they are quite sick. And just because your cat lives indoors doesn’t mean parasites can’t make it inside.
Fleas can hitchhike indoors on people, other pets and belongings. Mosquitoes can get inside. And ticks can come through the door on you or another animal.
Cats can also be infected with parasites such as heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and ear mites.
Indoor does not mean parasite-proof.
And please remember: never use a dog flea or tick product on a cat unless your veterinarian specifically tells you it is safe. Some ingredients used in dog products can be dangerous to cats.
Protection Doesn’t Have to Be One-Size-Fits-All
At Creekside Veterinary Hospital, we know that every family has different priorities.
Some families need the most budget-friendly option. Some families want maximum convenience. Some want the broadest, most comprehensive protection available.
We have options for all three.
And if none of these are right for your pet (the vet will help you pick a product) – we will find the right fit for you on our Online Pharmacy!
THREE WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR DOG OPTION
#1: BUDGET-FRIENDLY
Tri-Heart Plus + Provecta
Sometimes you don’t need fancy. You just need effective, affordable and consistent.
Tri-Heart Plus is a monthly chew that prevents heartworm disease and treats/controls roundworms and hookworms. Provecta provides flea and tick protection. Together, they give you a simple, budget-conscious prevention plan.
Think:
- Heartworm protection
- Intestinal parasite protection
- Flea protection
- Tick protection
Two simple products. One affordable prevention plan.
This is a great choice for families who want to keep their pets protected without paying for features they don’t necessarily need.
OPTION #2: CONVENIENCE AT ITS MAX
Bravecto Quantum + ProHeart 12
Are you the person who says:
“I KNOW my dog needs prevention. I just can’t remember to give it every month!”
We get it. That’s where convenience really matters.
ProHeart 12 provides heartworm protection for a full 12 months with one injection given by your veterinarian. It also treats existing hookworm infections.
Bravecto Quantum is a long-acting injectable flea and tick medication designed to provide a full year of protection against adult fleas and several important tick species. It is administered by your veterinarian, so there is no monthly pill or topical treatment to remember.
Together:
- 12-month heartworm protection
- 12-month flea protection
- 12-month protection against several tick species*
And you don’t have to remember to give another dose every month.
We give the injections.
You get to check parasite prevention off your to-do list.
That’s convenience at its max.
More protection. Less remembering. More good days.
*Because Bravecto Quantum’s labeled duration for lone star ticks is 8 months, dogs with potential exposure to lone star ticks should receive Bravecto Quantum every 8 months. We’ll help determine the appropriate schedule for your pet based on their lifestyle and exposure risk.
OPTION #3: GOLD STANDARD
NexGard PLUS
If you want broad-spectrum protection in one convenient monthly chew, NexGard PLUS is our gold-standard monthly option.
One tasty chew once a month provides protection against:
- Heartworm disease
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
One chew. Once a month. No separate heartworm medication. No separate flea medication. No separate tick medication. No trying to remember which medication you gave when. One monthly chew covers the big stuff.
For families who want broad protection in one simple monthly medication, NexGard PLUS is our gold-standard option.
SO WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOUR DOG?
“I want effective protection at the best price.” = Tri-Heart Plus + Provecta > Two
simple products that get the job done.
“I want to forget about parasite prevention.” = Bravecto Quantum + ProHeart 12 >
Two veterinary-administered injections designed to take monthly parasite prevention off your to-do list.
“I want broad protection in one monthly chew.” = NexGard PLUS
One monthly chew for heartworm, fleas, ticks, roundworms and hookworms.
There isn’t one “right” choice for every family nor every pet
That’s why we offer options. We’ll help you choose the prevention that fits your pet, your lifestyle and your budget.
AND YES… CATS NEED PROTECTION TOO!
Cats deserve parasite protection, too!
And we tailor our recommendations based on their lifestyle.
INDOOR-ONLY CATS
Simple & Budget-Friendly
For a truly indoor cat, we often recommend a simple monthly topical. We carry a single ingredient topical that provides protection against heartworm disease, fleas and ear mites, and treats/controls roundworms and hookworms.
It’s one small dose applied to the skin once a month.
Simple. Affordable. No pill required.
Even indoor cats can encounter parasites. Fleas can hitchhike inside on people, other pets and belongings, while mosquitoes and other parasites can find their way indoors.
Indoor does not mean parasite-proof.
INDOOR + OUTDOOR CATS
Broader Protection
If your cat goes outside, their parasite exposure goes up significantly.For these cats, we generally want broader protection, including tick protection.
A product such as Nexgard Combo is a monthly topical that protects cats against fleas, several tick species, heartworm disease, roundworms, hookworms and ear mites.
Because cats are especially sensitive to certain flea and tick medications, please don’t use a dog flea or tick product on your cat unless your veterinarian specifically tells you it is safe.
SEPTEMBER 10 IS BRAVECTO LEAP DAY!
And we’re celebrating!
September 10th is Bravecto Leap Day at Creekside Veterinary Hospital!
If your dog receives Bravecto Quantum that day, you’ll have the opportunity to take advantage of special discounts and prizes!
We’re making parasite prevention a little more fun—and hopefully a little easier to remember.
Call Creekside Veterinary Hospital to schedule.
And be sure to follow us on social media for all the details, specials and prize announcements!
MORE PROTECTION. MORE CONVENIENCE. MORE GOOD DAYS.
At Creekside, we don’t believe prevention should be complicated.
Budget-friendly? We’ve got you.
Convenience-focused? We’ve got you.
Want broad protection in one monthly chew? We’ve got you.
We’ll help you choose the option that makes sense for your pet, your lifestyle and your budget.
Because parasite prevention isn’t just about avoiding fleas and ticks.
It’s about protecting the family member who depends on you.
Because Pets Are Family.
Because Prevention Matters.
Because We Want Your Pets to Have More Good Days.
Creekside Veterinary Hospital
2987 Hunting Dr. NW • Cleveland, TN
423-709-7979