Fleas

Fleas are found all over Australia and are common in Canberra. They live in our houses and in the outside environment. Only 5% of the surrounding flea population is found on your dog or cat – the rest are out there waiting! Fleas can cause intense discomfort, especially in allergic dogs and cats.

Paralysis ticks

The paralysis tick occurs along the eastern coast of Australia, and is common on the South Coast and in Sydney. More recently there have been a few cases of paralysis ticks on dogs and cats that haven’t been out of Canberra! The ticks live in humid, moist, bushy areas. The paralysis tick is toxic to dogs and cats.

Year round flea and tick prevention is recommended for your dog and cat. There are many products on the market that will treat one or both of these parasites.

The best product for your pet depends on a number of factors: how often you travel down to the coast and for how long, dog or cat, short or long hair etc. Please talk to our staff for advice.

Products available are:

Bravecto® chewable tablets Dogs ONLY

• Treatment and control of Flea infestations for 3 months, effective in just 8 hours! This means effective control before fleas can lay eggs and contaminate your home!
• Treatment and control of Paralysis Tick infestations for 4 months, effective in just 24 hours! This means effective control before a feeding tick starts to inject paralysis toxin!
• Treatment and control of Brown Dog Tick infestations for 8 weeks.

Bravecto® Spot-On

Bravecto® Spot-On has made flea and tick prevention even easier! The new Spot-on gives even longer lasting protection than the popular Bravecto® chew.

• A single, easy application protects your dog for a full 6 months against fleas and paralysis ticks
• A single, easy application protects your cat for up to 3 months against fleas and paralysis ticks

Nexgard® DOGS ONLY

Nexgard® is a soft, beef flavoured chew for dogs, making it easy to kill fleas and ticks. It is effective for one month and is effective after only 8 hours. As it is a flavoured tablet administered orally, there is no need to worry about washing off after swimming, bathing, or grooming. For dogs making less frequent trips to the coast this length of protection may be just what they need!

Comfortis® DOGS and CATS

Comforts® protects against fleas only. It starts killing fleas in as little as 8 hours, before they lay eggs and provides a full month of flea protection to help prevent future flea infestations.  Comforts® is easy to administer! A flavoured tablet is administered orally, so no residue, no worries about washing off after swimming, bathing, or grooming. Comfortis® is available for both dogs and cats. For animals staying in Canberra only and thus not at risk of paralysis tick intoxication this may be the perfect option.

Cats and ticks?

Bravecto® Spot-On has made flea and tick prevention even easier! A single, easy application protects your cat for up to 3 months against fleas and paralysis ticks.

Helpful hints – ticks:

Ticks are common in the low scrub along the coast. Keep your dog on a lead and avoid scrubby bush.

Twice daily searching of your pet is helpful to find recently attached ticks. If a tick is found, the tick should be removed at skin level. You should search for ticks daily for at least 10 days after returning from the coast.

Inner South Veterinary Centre is very happy to give advice about which product will best suit you and your pet. Please talk to our staff for advice.

If a tick or tick toxicity symptoms are noticed, seek immediate veterinary attention.