How to protect your pets from ticks, fleas and other seasonal nasties

Dr Richard Murphy BSC(HONS) BVSC PGCERTSAS MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon from The Vet, North Harbour, Portsmouth, answers some common questions about protrecting your pets from seasonal nasties.
Doctor Richard Murphy from The Vet with one of his patientsDoctor Richard Murphy from The Vet with one of his patients
Doctor Richard Murphy from The Vet with one of his patients

Spring has sprung and now is the time to give your pet an MOT and get protection against allergies, distressing ticks, fleas and help with other seasonal nasties.

Pop into The Vet for advice, medications, supplies and prescriptions to keep your pet comfortable and get fast effective treatment.

A good way to save money for basic healthcare for your pet is to consider joining our monthly pet healthcare plan which provides all the protection your furry friends will need.

Allergies

Seasonal allergies can be as lousy for our pets as they can for us. Airborne pollen, trees, mould and grasses are common sources for allergic reactions. Symptoms such as sneezing, wheeziness, itchy eyes, skin irritations and ear infections are miserable. Don’t leave allergies untreated as reactions can lead to bacterial and yeast infections.

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas can jump up 110 inches their body length and 8 inches high, so it’s not surprising our pets can so easily become infested. Maintenance is the key. Use topical monthly treatments sold at The Vet which provide armour to keep these nasty nibblers at bay. If your pet has been out for a walk or been in the garden and picked up a tick (which can carry Lyme Disease), pop into The Vet for free advice how to remove them safely, so they don’t get an infection.  

Flystrike

Warm weather signals more flies about seeking damp, warm patches to lay eggs. Hutches and particularly soiled areas and damp fur is a magnet for the flies. Within hours of hatching, pets can be infested with maggots burying into the skin. This devastating and potentially fatal disease needs fast action, so get your pet to The Vet asap. Precautions include checking your pet over and removing soiled bedding every day, regularly disinfecting the hutch and adding fly-screens to both hutches and runs.

 

The Vet provides walk-ins Monday-Friday and appointments 7 days a week and specialises in quality care at low prices, including a low-price guarantee and free pet taxi service to its new state-of-the-art 5,000 sq ft, purpose-built clinic. www.thevet.co.uk or call (023) 9421 7644. 

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