By appointment only.After-hours service fees apply.
0296214161
Monday - Sunday 24/7
Address
118 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown, NSW 2148
By appointment only.After-hours service fees apply.
0296214161
Monday - Sunday 24/7
Address
118 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown, NSW 2148
Fleas are most often seen during the warm and humid months, but as we keep our homes heated throughout winter, we may see fleas all year round.
Only a small part of the adult flea population actually lives on your pet. The fleas’ eggs and larvae live in the environment and can survive for up to a year, so it’s important not only to treat your animal directly for fleas, but also clean the environment as well. Wash your pet’s bedding using the hottest cycle and regularly vacuum and clean carpets. We do not recommend flea collars or flea shampoos alone, as they fail to address the environmental flea infestation.
Fleas will tend to jump onto your pet only to feed, and then jump off again. Dogs and cats can have a reaction to flea saliva resulting in a skin condition called Flea Allergy Dermatitis or FAD. Treatment of FAD can be complicated and veterinary consultation is recommended.
Some signs that your pet may have fleas include:
Warning: Some brands of flea treatments for dogs are potentially lethal when applied to cats or rabbits. Always seek veterinary advice about the best flea treatments for your pet.
The main tick of concern for pet owners is the Paralysis Tick (Ixodes holocyclus) as it can cause paralysis and death within 2-4 days of attachment. While Paralysis Ticks occur naturally only in certain geographic areas (mainly along the coastal eastern seaboard of Australia), they can attach to pets who visit these areas during the warmer months, particularly if they are allowed to run through scrub. Ticks may also hitch a ride back with you or a neighbour in cars, rugs, towels or plants.
If you notice a tick on a pet that is not displaying signs of tick paralysis, remove the tick straight away. To do this, grasp the tick firmly where it attaches to your pet’s skin and give a quick sideways pull. It’s better not to try and kill the tick first, as the dying tick may inject more of its potent toxin into your pet. If you are not confident removing the tick, please call us immediately to have it removed.
Once the tick is removed your pet should be kept cool and quiet, while being closely monitored for several days.
If your pet starts to display any signs of tick paralysis, such as vomiting, weakness, staggering, breathing difficulty, or altered bark, seek immediate veterinary attention as this is a veterinary emergency.
If your pet is showing any of these signs, do not offer food or water as these may be accidentally inhaled in tick-affected dogs.
Treatment of tick paralysis includes searching for and removing all ticks. This may include clipping the animal completely and/or the use of medication to kill remaining ticks. Tick antiserum is administered to counteract the toxin and supportive care is provided during recovery. This can be costly in comparison to what it would cost to use tick prevention initially.
However, no tick prevention is 100% effective and should always be used in combination with daily searches of your pet. Searching your pet shouldn’t cease once you return from tick-affected regions but should continue for at least 7 days after returning home. Use your fingers to feel over the entire body, especially under the collar, on the face and around the front of your pet. Don’t forget to check carefully between the toes, under the lips and in the ears.
Warning: Some brands of tick and flea treatments for dogs are potentially lethal when applied to cats or rabbits. Always seek veterinary advice about the best tick and flea treatments for your pet.
