Parasite Prevention and Treatment

Even though fleas, ticks, and mites are small parasites, an infestation can cause significant harm. Parasite prevention and control are essential for the health of pets, humans, and other animals.

What are the discomforts or dangers associated with flea bites?

Some pets experience only mild irritation, while others suffer from intense itching, redness, shedding, or scratching severe enough to cause crusting or scabbing. Fleas can carry several diseases, as well as certain types of tapeworm.

What are the discomforts or dangers associated with tick bites?

Ticks carry various diseases, including Lyme disease, which is increasingly prevalent in Quebec due to global warming. In rare cases, a toxin in tick saliva can cause paralysis in infected animals.

How can I protect my pet?

For ticks, there are easy-to-use treatments administered orally, on the skin, or as collars. These treatments can be given monthly or for extended periods, covering the season when ticks are active, typically when temperatures exceed 4°C. Dogs can also be vaccinated against Lyme disease.

For flea prevention, oral and topical insecticides are available. These products kill fleas before they can reproduce and prevent laid eggs from maturing.

Consult your veterinary team to choose the best option for your pet and to find out how frequently to repeat treatment to maintain effectiveness.

What's the safest way to remove a tick?

We recommend wearing gloves to avoid direct contact. Use fine tweezers or a special tool, like a Tick Twister®, to remove the tick. Avoid twisting or crushing it. Contact our veterinary hospital to determine if the tick should be analyzed and if antibiotic treatment is necessary.