There are a bewildering number of products on the market that claim to treat parasites. We often find clients completely confused, or using products that aren’t effective. So to make life simpler (we like simple) here’s our recommendation for dogs and cats.

Protecting Your Dog

Protocol One – A once yearly injection called Proheart is given at the same time as your pet’s booster. You then must give an intestinal worm tablet called Drontal Plus every 3 months. Then either Advantix or Frontline applied to your dog’s neck. From April until October you can do this monthly, but from October until April (Tick season) we recommend every 2 weeks to kill ticks.

Protocol  Two – Sentinel (an oral medication given monthly) to protect against heartworm and intestinal parasites plus some environmental protection against fleas. Then either Advantix or Frontline applied to your dog’s neck. From April until October you can do this monthly, but from October until April (Tick season) we recommend every two weeks to kill ticks.

Regardless of which protocol you use we recommend you vacuum thoroughly (every room and under beds, sofas) and spray (again every room, regardless of the type of flooring) against fleas every 3-6 months. Ask us for advice on the best sprays to use to protect your home.  Make sure no pets are in your house when you spray.

Protecting Your Cat

Hunting/outdoor cat protocol – Apply Advocate to your cat’s neck monthly to protect against heart worm, round worms and fleas. To control tapeworms we advise giving a Milbemax tablet every 3 months.

House cat protocol – Apply Advocate to your cat’s neck monthly to protect against round worms, fleas and heart worm.

Regardless of which protocol you use we recommend you vacuum thoroughly (every room and under beds, sofas) and spray (again every room, regardless of the type of flooring) against fleas every 3-6 months. Ask us for advice on the best sprays to use to protect your home.  Make sure no pets are in your house when you spray.

Warning – please take care when dosing cats with flea preparations. Some over the counter products available from supermarkets and pet shops can be extremely toxic to cats if used incorrectly. (If in any doubt call us for advice.)

Treating your pet against these common parasites will keep both them and your family safe together. If you have any questions we are delighted to give you any advice you need over the phone and we stock all the products mentioned. If you are in a pickle over parasites just give us a call (02)93634045.