As spring and warm weather is just around the corner, many people are looking to protect their animals from outdoor pests like fleas and ticks. Nationally, there have been complaints about Seresto flea collars. Some owners have claimed their pets have gotten sick and even died from wearing these collars.
One local vet at Animal Ark Pet Hospital says he still recommends the collars until there is more research done about the actual side effects. He says be aware of fake flea collars on the market.
"Owners need to be aware there are many counterfeit products on the market, or products that come from foreign countries and it's really important to make sure you're getting your flea and tick product from a reputable supplier," says Zane Cheropovich, a Associate Vet at Animal Ark.
March is the beginning of flea and tick season, which lasts virtually for the remainder of the year.
"This particular time, spring when the weather is getting warm, it's nice and cool out it's damp that typically tends to be a real hot season for the fleas," says Cheropovich.
Cheropovich says it's hard to tell if your pet brings in a flea or a tick.
"Most of the time you don't. Unless you actually find the engorged tick or the tick actually attaches you won't really know. Cats and dogs typically won't get the standard bulls eye lesion so a lot of times your dog or cat can get bitten by a tick and unless you find one you won't know," says Cheropovich.
He says during this time of the year especially to make sure you're checking your pets every time they come inside.
"Do it every time you get home from a walk. Especially if you're going through grass areas or the Peninsula certainty," says Cheropovich.
If you aren't comfortable putting a flea collar on your animal, he says there's many options on the market for prevention.
"Especially with dogs, to give oral medications so in the case of some products it's a monthly tablet they get," says Cheropovich.