Small Pests Mean Big Trouble For Your Pet
At Bayshore Animal Hospital, we provide comprehensive parasite prevention strategies to protect dogs and cats across Charlevoix-Petoskey from fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and intestinal parasites. Our veterinarians create customized prevention plans based on your pet’s specific risk factors, lifestyle, and environment — helping you protect your pet not only from the discomfort and irritation parasites cause, but also from the serious diseases they can transmit.
Year-Round Parasite Protection For Northern Michigan Pets
Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes aren’t just a summer problem. Warming temperatures and longer active seasons mean year-round prevention is increasingly important to keep your pet protected from these pests and the diseases they may carry. And the problems they cause go well beyond a little itching: fleas can trigger dermatitis, tapeworm, and hot spots; a single tick bite can transmit a range of dangerous diseases; and mosquitoes carry potentially deadly heartworm.
In addition to preventive medications, we recommend thoroughly checking your dog or cat for fleas and ticks on a daily basis if they’ve been outdoors — something especially important in Northern Michigan, where outdoor adventures are part of the lifestyle. Although these parasites can be anywhere on your pet’s body, they tend to gravitate toward the head, ears, neck, and paws. You can spot evidence of fleas if you notice small black specks that resemble pepper or bits of dirt in your pet’s coat.
Lyme disease from tick bites and heartworm from mosquitoes are on the rise across the country. While Lyme is rarely fatal, heartworm is far more dangerous — often producing no symptoms until the disease is well advanced. Treatment for heartworm is available in dogs, but it’s expensive and very hard on your pet, which is why prevention is so important.
Comprehensive Parasite Protection From Inside And Out
At Bayshore Animal Hospital, we take a comprehensive approach to parasite prevention that addresses both external parasites (fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes) and internal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms). Our veterinarians will help you select the most appropriate preventive products for your dog or cat’s specific needs and lifestyle, ensuring continuous protection against these troublesome — and potentially dangerous — pests.
Prevention is always the best treatment. We carry a wide range of flea, tick, and heartworm preventives, and our team can help you choose the right option for your pet. For up-to-date information on parasite risks, prevalence maps, and prevention recommendations, we encourage pet owners to visit the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). For more information or to schedule an appointment, give us a call.