Fleas, Ticks and Worms

Worms are internal parasites and invisible to our eyes most of the time. The only time we have the chance to spot them is when your pet has a number two in the garden or out on a walk!

Worms fall into three main classification types which include roundworms (most common especially in puppies and include Toxocara canis), tapeworms (need the flea as a paratenic host to be transmitted to your pet) and hookworms (such as Ancylostoma caninum the lungworm which can be acutely fatal).

Clinical signs of worm infections can include loss of appetite, weight-loss despite eating, a pot-belly appearance, seeing rice or tape-like bits in the faeces as well as vomiting or diarrhoea.

Cats and dogs can get fleas outside on walks and in the garden, throughout the whole year, no matter if you live in town or in the countryside. Do not forget that your house is centrally heated so fleas are warm all year round! Many products treat fleas and ticks with one treatment and there are several ways to prevent fleas effectively:

• Spot on: Applied as drops on the skin between the pet’s shoulder blades. They usually protect your pet for a period of 4-6 weeks and can be with or without prescription depending on the active ingredient. Most common non-prescription brands would be Frontline and Advantage.
• Collar: Collars are relatively new to the prevention scene but are certainly as effective as traditional tablets and spot ons. They are very easy to apply to your pet and can protect for a period of up to 8 weeks. Most common is Scalibor.
• Oral prevention: You can prevent f

  If you see a tick on your pet, please do not use heat, salt or your fingernails to try and remove it! The most likely outcome is that the tick’s head remains embedded in your pet’s skin causing irritation and possible infection.

  It is best to use a tick remover such as the O’Tom tick remover and remember to turn it anti-clockwise to remove the head and body as ticks burrow clockwise into your pet! Very easy and quick to use. We would recommend examining your animal daily especially in the spring months, particularly around the face/muzzle and chest area as these are the most common spots.

  If you have any doubt about which type of product would be best for your pet, please contact us by Livechat, email or by ringing our customer service line 0203 675 0780. If it is a prescription product you are after, then please do consult your veterinarian first.

   

  Pets generally catch ticks whilst on walks or from other pets. The tick life cycle requires three to four nymph stages before becoming an adult and they require blood (from your pet or yourself!) in order to evolve from one nymphal stage to another. These nymph stages will climb to the top of plants/grasses waiting for an animal to walk by and latch onto. It is thought that changes in the concentration of carbon dioxide levels in the air can be the stimulus for them to be aware of your presence! Many products prevent/treat fleas and ticks combined in one treatment and can also include worm prevention depending on the classification of the medicine used.

  • Spot on: Applied as drops on the skin between the pet’s shoulder blades. They usually protect your pet for a period of 4-6 weeks and can be with or without prescription depending on the active ingredient. Most common non-prescription brands would be Frontline and E

    Worming treatments are available in:

    • Oral treatments: Pastes, tablets or liquids which you can place on the food. Customers rely on Drontal and Panacur.
    • Spot on: Easy to apply as drops on the skin between the pet’s shoulder blades with top-selling brands including Droncit.

    Generally speaking, both cats and dogs should be wormed every three months if using tablets and every 4-6 weeks if using spot on treatments.

    If you have any doubt about which type of product would be best for your pet, please contact us by Livechat, email or by ringing our customer service line 0203 675 0780. If it is a prescription product you are after, then please do consult your veterinarian first.

    Protect your Cat and Dog throughout the Year with Long Lasting Flea & Tick Treatment

    Parasites like fleas, ticks and worms are active throughout the year and can affect you and your pet.

    • Fleas can cause health problems for your pet, including allergic reactions, anaemia as well as harbouring tapeworm infections.
    • Ticks can transmit disease such as Lyme disease, as well as causing discomfort for your pet.
    • Worms generally reside in the gut or intestinal tract. They can cause diarrhoea, decreasing in weight and hinder your pets’ development. Human can also be affected by some of these parasites. The good news is that this is very easy to avoid using effective preventative healthcare.

    Regular prevention against fleas, ticks and worms is not only desirable but indeed essential. We have a broad assortment of preventative health care products including co

    Fleas
    An introduction to fleas

    Ticks
    An introduction to ticks

    Wormers
    An introduction to worming