Heartworms, Fleas, and Ticks OH MY!

2018 is shaping up to be a record year for the amount of fleas, ticks, and heartworms present in our area.

HEARTWORMS- Spread by mosquitos - wherever mosquitos are.
-Fort Wayne is TOP 10 in the country for emerging heartworm infection.
-http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/heartworm-disease-dogs

-Prevention is key! We offer 3 options for heartworm prevention:
       1) Sentinel/Interceptor Plus
           -Once per month, year round pills.
           -Kills the baby heartworm before it can become an adult
     2) Proheart 6
           -One injection that lasts for 6 months!
                 +Doesn't allow heartworm infection to proceed
                 +Need to have a heartworm check in past year
     3) Revolution
           -Topical that is absorbed into the bloodstream
                  +Kills baby heartworms before becoming adults.

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TICKS- We have 4 kinds of ACTIVE ticks in our area.
-Spreads disease to humans and pets alike.
-Can live for up to 7 years  😨 Inside and Out
-Can spread disease in as little as 3 hours from attachment
       +Ehrlichia and Anaplasma
       +Lyme Disease in 24-36 hours
       +Bartonella and Babesia (effects Red Blood Cells)
-Lyme Disease tick thrives in the winter! Just has to be over 35* to be active above the snow line

http://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/ticks/  .

-Once again - PREVENTION is key:
         1)Simparica
                +30 day pill - kills all fleas and ticks
                     -Prevents disease spread!
                     -Most cost effective
         2) Bravecto
                 +90 day pill - kills fleas and ticks
                     -Only kills Lone Star Tick effectively for 60 days
         **Revolution only kills 1 type of tick in dogs
         **Sentinel DOES NOT COVER TICKS
         **OTC topical Tick preventatives leave your pet open
             disease transfer

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FLEAS-Fleas can live year round inside your home
-The adult flea is only the tip of the iceberg for flea issues
-Flea eggs, maggots, and junior stages make up the main problem
-Can take up to 4 months for eggs to become adults
        +Why you need to treat for 3-4 months to ensure success
-Adult fleas can lay 40-60 eggs PER FLEA PER DAY!

http://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/fleas/  .

-Again PREVENTION is KEY:
          1)Sentinel - is a flea BIRTH CONTROL
                -It DOES NOT KILL ADULTS
                -Prevents infestations from happening
          2)Simparica - Kills all fleas and quickly
          3)Bravecto -  Kills all fleas
          4)Revolution - Kills all flea life stages (not as quickly)
          **Fleas are becoming RESISTANT to topical Frontline
              type products - DONT WAST YOUR MONEY
          **Flea baths only last as long as the pet is in the bath tub
          **Flea collars are innefective
          **MUST TREAT ALL PETS in the home to end an active
              infestation