Tick-Borne

Prevention Product Options:

​'What type of prevention should I be using for my pet?' One of the most common questions that we receive from pet owners, but one that does not have any singular correct answer. The most important thing is that your pet is on a prescription flea and tick product purchased from a reputable source. Counterfeit and unregulated products are a danger for your pet. Therefore, buying from your veterinarian, or an associated veterinary based pharmacy, is the best way to guarantee you are getting the true product. Ticks are great building up resistance to products and the prescription products have safety and efficacy testing done for them, while same cannot be said for over the counter products you will find. The biggest consideration will be owner preference (of administration) and what your pet will best tolerate.

Options include: 

1. Oral: Many companies make flavored chewable preventatives that are wonderful for our food motivated pets or in homes that we are concerned about frequent petting where a topical option would potentially be removed (ex. a home with small children). Benefits - no concern on efficacy based on absorption of the product, more products are being made to now also include prevention for heartworm disease and no risk of topical irritation. Risks - Gastrointestinal Upset (vomiting/diarrhea) is the most common undesirable effect that we see with these products. If this is noted with your pet within 24 hours of product administration, consideration of a different brand/product flavor or ingredient makeup or transition to a different application modality would be recommended. Creekside Vet staff will be able to guide you through this process. 

2. Topical: This option has been present and used in the veterinary community for many years. It is a great alternative for pets that do not take oral medications well or pets that are difficult to handle/be around regularly (ex. outdoor cats). Benefits - Administration that does not require ingestion of a product, no risk that it will be spit out to question efficacy, gastrointestinal upset is a less common concern with these products. Risks - Bathing/swimming may affect efficacy if done within the first 24 hours of administration, owner risk of touching the product after application (if this occurs, wash your hands thoroughly, as it is a product that absorbs through the skin), pet self grooming the product off of them (more commonly a concern for cats). Please note some dog products are toxic for cats, so if you live in a dog and cat household please ask your Creekside Vet staff for recommendations. 

3. Collar: Another product type that has been on the market for quite some time and our longest lasting product option (usually approximately 5-8 months depending on daily lifestyle). Due to the cost of the product versus the average length of efficacy, it is also our most cost effective option. When recommending this product, we will only recommend the Seresto brand of flea and tick collars, and only purchased through a reputable source (as counterfeits seem to be notably common for this product specifically). Benefits - 5+ month duration of efficacy, provides a hands off prevention approach (no monthly administrations). Risks - purchase of a new collar timely to expiration (approximately every 6 months) to prevent lapse in coverage, collar must be worn at all times for efficacy, concern of efficacy for pets that are frequently in water.

When to Give Prevention:

​Our practice currently recommends that any administration choice is continued year round. For some products this means monthly administration, others every 3 months and some approximately every 6 months. Following each products administration recommendations will be crucial to prevent lapse in coverage.