Worms, fleas and ticks

We advise regular parasite control for all pets as even ‘indoor’ pets can pick up a variety of parasites from the environment. Dogs that scavenge or drink from outside water sources and cats that hunt are at additional risk so more regular protection is advised.

Worming

Puppies and kittens should be wormed every 2 weeks from weaning until 3 months of age.

Adult dogs and cats should be wormed at least every 3 months. More regular worming treatment should be given to animals that exercise in areas where there are high populations of wild mammals (such as the woods and beaches around Formby and Southport) or cats and dogs that hunt.

We stock a range of safe and very effective worming products and can advise you on the best treatment for your pet. Please note that most of the effective products are Prescription Only Medicines, which means we can only dispense them for pets that are registered with our practice and have been examined by one of our veterinary surgeons in the past 12 months.

Fleas and ticks

Fleas are a major problem in our area as they thrive in the mild and relatively humid climate of the north west coast. Before the advent of central heating, summer was the main flea season; now they are a problem all the year round.

Once fleas have hitched a ride on your pet into your house they quickly set up home. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs each day! Therefore it is important to treat your house with an effective environmental flea treatment if fleas have been seen on your pet.

Ticks are increasingly being seen in our area, the local wildlife provides an excellent reservoir for ticks! Animals taking holidays in areas with lots of wildlife or farms will also require protection against ticks. Ticks can be responsible for spreading a number of diseases, some of which can be very serious.

We stock a range of safe and very effective products and can advise you on the best form of flea and tick control to suit your household. Please note that most of the effective products are Prescription Only Medicines; this means we can only dispense them for pets which are registered with our practice and have been examined by one of our veterinary surgeons in the past 12 months.