4 Key Facts to Consider For Tick Prevention

At PetWellClinic® in Knoxville and Alcoa, we know that ticks are a top concern for our clients. Ticks can transmit diseases to a dog or cat before the pests are found and removed, resulting in a whole range of alarming health issues. The good news is that tick-borne diseases are preventable. Read on to know what you need to consider when protecting your pets from ticks.

  1. Tick related diseases can be debilitating.

Ticks in East Tennessee can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichia. The symptoms of tick-borne diseases can range from lethargy, loss of appetite, or lameness to paralysis and even death.

  1. Visual inspections are unreliable.

Some pet owners think they can rely on visually checking their pets for ticks, but this is an unreliable method for several reasons. Ticks are drawn to moist, dark areas on the body, such as under the tail, between the toes, or inside the groin—all areas that may be hard to examine. Also, ticks can be as small as a grain of sand, which would certainly be hard to detect. Not to mention, ticks can easily burrow into your pet’s fur and go undetected.

  1. Exposed pets means exposed people.

If a dog or cat carries a tick into your home, anyone else living there may be the tick’s next unsuspecting host. And some tick-borne diseases, such as ehrlichia, are zoonotic, meaning they can be passed from animals to humans—which can be particularly dangerous for young children, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, scientists estimate that more than 6 out of every 10 infectious diseases in humans are spread from animals.

  1. Protect year round.

Many pet owners have the misperception that tick treatments are only required during spring, summer, and fall. While it’s true that the tick population soars in the warmer months, our relatively mild East Tennessee winters aren’t cold or long enough to kill off all infestations. Determining when to start and stop tick prevention treatments based on the seasons is too risky when it comes to ensuring the health of your pets. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, the best way to prevent tick borne diseases is to treat your pets year-round.

PetWellClinic® offers a variety of affordable, high quality chewable and topical tick prevention products, such as Activyl, Bravecto, Parastar, Simparica, and Revolution. We can help you determine which one is best for your pet, and we can help you with heartworm and flea prevention products as well.

By operating convenient hours for non-surgical care, PetWellClinic® is able to offer substantially discounted prices for preventative products, vaccinations, wellness exams, and treatment of minor conditions. Think of us as a “minute clinic” for your pet—no appointment necessary, with quick in and out service. You can save even more time by pre-registering and pre-paying online for our walk-in clinics.

PetWellClinic® has three locations: 10549 Kingston Pike, Knoxville; 7329 Kingston Pike, Knoxville; and 228 S. Calderwood Street in Alcoa. Learn more about how PetWellClinic® can exceed your expectations for affordable, top quality pet care by visiting our website at www.petwellclinic.com.

We are currently offering 20% off regular priced Bordetella vaccinations during the month of June.

 

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