Flea, Tick & Heartworm
Parasites are one of those things most pet owners don't think about until there's already a problem. The truth is, prevention is almost always easier, safer, and less expensive than treating an active infection. At Graber's Animal Hospital, we help Toledo families stay ahead of fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal parasites before they become a bigger issue. Living in Toledo puts pets at real risk. The summers here are warm and humid, which fleas love, and tick season tends to stretch from early spring well into fall and our winters are having some extreme warm days as well. If your dog spends any time outside and especially at the Metroparks, like Wildwood, tick exposure is something worth taking seriously. Heartworm is another concern people sometimes overlook because it's spread by mosquitoes, not direct contact. It's well-documented throughout Ohio and can be life-threatening if it goes untreated. Fleas can cause more than just itching. Some pets develop skin reactions from flea bites, and fleas can also carry tapeworms. Ticks in our area have been linked to Lyme disease and a few other illnesses that affect both pets and people. Intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms are worth knowing about too, because they can occasionally spread to humans, especially young children. The good news is that all of this is very manageable with the right plan. When you bring your pet in, one of our veterinarians will talk through your pet's lifestyle, health history, and any specific risks based on where you live and what your pet does day to day. From there we'll put together a recommendation that actually fits your situation rather than a one-size approach. We only recommend products that are approved and proven safe for your specific type of pet, which matters especially for cat owners since cats react badly to certain ingredients that are fine for dogs. If you're not sure where to start or it's been a while since your pet was on prevention, that's completely fine. Give us a call or stop by and we'll help you get caught up.
How We Help Protect Your Pet
Bravecto Quantum: Bravecto Quantum is one of the newest options we carry and honestly one of the most exciting things to come along in parasite prevention in a while. It is a single injection given right here at our clinic that protects dogs against fleas and five species of ticks for a full 12 months. If remembering monthly doses has been a challenge, this is worth asking about at your next visit.
Bravecto and Bravecto 1 Month: Bravecto is a chewable tablet for dogs that provides up to 12 weeks of flea and tick protection in a single dose, which means only four doses per year. For dog owners who prefer to stay on a monthly schedule, Bravecto 1 Month uses the same trusted formula with a monthly dosing interval. For cats, we carry Bravecto Plus, a topical applied at the base of the skull every two months that covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, and common intestinal parasites. It is a great option for cats who are resistant to monthly treatments.
Simparica and Simparica Trio: Simparica is a monthly chewable for dogs that covers fleas and six species of ticks. Simparica Trio goes further by adding heartworm prevention along with protection against roundworms and hookworms, all in one beef flavored chew. Approved for dogs and puppies as young as 8 weeks old.
Credelio Quattro: a monthly chewable for dogs from Elanco that covers more parasite types in a single tablet than any comparable product on the market. In one monthly dose it protects against fleas, ticks, heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, and three species of tapeworms. The tapeworm coverage is what sets it apart, since most combination products do not include that.
Sentinel: a monthly flavored tablet for dogs that prevents heartworm disease, controls flea populations by stopping flea eggs from hatching, and covers roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. It works differently than most flea products because it targets the flea life cycle rather than killing adult fleas on contact, so it is often paired with another product for dogs with heavier flea exposure.
ProHeart 12: is an injectable heartworm preventative given right here at our clinic that covers your dog for a full 12 months with a single appointment. It also treats any existing hookworm infections at the time of the injection. It is approved for dogs 12 months of age and older.
Still Unsure of your Pet's Condition?
If something doesn't feel right, its always better to ask. Our team is here to listen, assess your pets symptoms and guide you on the next best steps. Whether its a sudden change in behavior or a visible injury, we’ll help you decide the appropriate level of care
Contact us