Heartworm & Flea Control in Weddington, NC

Did you know that a single mosquito bite could be extremely devastating for your pet’s health? That, if a flea bites the wrong pet, they could develop a severe allergy that can cause extreme itching, hair loss, and an infestation in your house? That dogs and cats can develop tick borne diseases just like humans can? That cats can get heartworms too? For these reasons, among many, it is important to ensure that your pet and your family are protected against heartworms, fleas, and ticks. Did you know that all of these nuisances can be avoided by giving your pet preventative medication? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, even when it comes to your pets.

Fleas, Ticks & Heartworms in North Carolina

In North Carolina, fleas, ticks, and heartworms are a risk to pets year round due to our warm, humid climate. Heartworms are passed through mosquitoes – when a mosquito bites a pet, the heartworm larvae can be passed into the bloodstream and develop into worms the length of spaghetti that can live in the heart and the vessels of the lungs. These worms can wreak havoc on your pet’s body, causing heart failure, sudden death, and other complications. Heartworms in dogs can be treated if caught early, but the medication to treat them is very expensive and the process is very painful for your pet. In addition, the worms after treatment can still cause death for up to 6 months after treatment if your pet is not properly restricted from exercise. In cats, there is no known treatment for heartworms and the disease is fatal. This makes preventative medication extremely important for the health of your pet.

Dog with dry nose Matthews animal hospital

What Can Fleas & Ticks Cause?

Fleas and ticks are pests that can cause diseases to you and your pets, as well as infesting your home by laying eggs that can survive for several weeks in the environment, causing more problems in the future. Fleas can cause anemia and were known for carrying the plague. If your pet eats a flea while itching, they can even develop tapeworms. Ticks can cause painful joint diseases in dogs and can also trigger immune mediated crises. There are many preventative medications available that can help protect you and your pet from these disease causing critters.

Protection Options

There are multiple methods of protection for your pet – treats or pills given by mouth, injections, collars, or topical medications. It is important to talk to your vet about which product works best for you and your pet. Heartworm medication is a prescription medication that requires annual testing to ensure your pet is negative. A fecal sample may also be tested prior to starting medication to ensure your pet is free from intestinal parasites. These tests are required to ensure your pet is safe to start or continue heartworm medication.

Use Caution When Buying Online

Heartworm, flea and tick medications can be purchased from several places – including online. It is important to use caution when buying these products from other sources that are not directly from a veterinary clinic – fraudulent or over the counter products can cause harm to your pet or may not offer them appropriate protection. It is important to discuss reliable sources with your veterinarian and figure out what works best for you and your pets. 

What If I Skipped A Dose?

What happens if you forget a dose? If you forget a dose, give it as soon as possible. If you have missed several consecutive months of heartworm protection, it is recommended to retest your pet 6 months after the time that they were possibly exposed. This is the time that the worms take to become mature enough to be detected on the test. If your pet has a positive test result, it is important to make a plan with your veterinarian on how next best to proceed to help protect your pet. 

Heartworm & Flea Proection at Weddington Animal Hospital

With so many options and products out there, it can be confusing or even overwhelming to make the best choice for your pet. It is important to discuss your pet’s lifestyle and medical history with your veterinarian to help make your decision. It is crucial to ensure all pets in your household are protected – if there are gaps in protection, fleas can be passed around from pet to pet or your pet may be exposed to heartworms. It is important to find a product that works best for you and continue protection year round. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your pet or heartworm/flea and tick medication, please feel free to contact the veterinary staff at Weddington Animal Hospital. Our doctors and trained veterinary staff are here to support you and your pet and help guide you into making the best decision for their lifestyle. Feel free to call us at 704-847-8466 or email us at wah@wahcares.com to discuss or schedule an appointment.

Schedule Your Appointment

We would love the opportunity to meet you and your pet!  You can fill out the appointment form and our office team will contact you shortly to schedule an appointment that works best for you.

Here at the Weddington Animal Hospital, we treat your pet like they should be treated, like a member of your family.  We take pride in our level of care and customer service and we look forward to having you join our family.

Contact Us Today

Just switched over to Weddington Animal Hospital a couple months ago… and WOW what a great choice! Everyone there is so friendly and keep you very informed on your furry friend. I feel very confident leaving my dog with Dr. Faulkner! If you are looking for more then just your average vet, WAH is the place to be.

- Willis Lowe, Google review

Weddington Animal Hospital is absolutely wonderful! We have tried out a few around the area and this is our favorite. Recently our puppy swallowed something she wasn’t supposed to & everyone apart of the hospital took such good care of her. Dr. Faulkner is amazing! He explained everything into such great detail and we were happy to leave her in such great hands. Thank you Weddington Animal Hospital!

- Leah Upchurch, Google review

Dr. Faulkner really took his time and answered all of our questions. As new puppy owners, we really appreciated his insight and patience with us.

- Jake Wood, Google review

If you are looking for a vet that is extremely knowledgeable, caring, and compassionate you have found the right place! Not only is Dr. Faulkner great, but his entire staff is too!

- Joe Black, Google review