SOLOMONS, Md., Oct. 12, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solomons Veterinary Medical Center is reminding pet owners that pets require year-round protection against fleas and ticks, not just during the summer months. A single fleabite can cause an allergic reaction lasting up to seven days for dogs and they can also carry tapeworms. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, which affects both dogs and humans. In order to keep your pets safe from fleas and ticks, the veterinary hospital strongly recommends a medicated flea and tick prevention product like NexGard, which the hospital sells.
Maryland veterinarian Dr. Nancy E. Ball announced that Solomons Veterinary Hospital is now carrying NexGard for flea and tick protection. Year-round protection is important for pet health.
NexGard is a soft, beef-flavored chew for dogs that kills ticks and adult fleas before they lay eggs and kills 100% of all fleas within 24 hours.
"We recommend NexGard to pet owners because it protects against fleas and ticks for up to 30 days and pets love the beef-flavored chews," said Dr. Ball. "Additionally, since NexGard is an oral product, swimming or bathing has no impact on NexGard's effectiveness. Unlike some topical products that require pets to wait before swimming or bathing, a dog's coat can get immediately wet following NexGard."
When used as directed by a veterinarian, NexGard is safe and effective for any breed of dog. NexGard is also safe for use with puppies 8 weeks of age or older that weigh 4 pounds or greater. Since NexGard is a soft chew, many pet owners find that it's easier to administer NexGard to their dogs when compared with other flea and tick prevention products.
Dr. Ball stressed that for maximum effectiveness NexGard should be administered year-round.
"Even when it is cold outside during the winter, fleas can still survive inside the house," said Dr. Ball. "All it takes is for a few fleas to drop off your pet's coat and onto the carpet or sofa and you can have a full-blown flea infestation. Removing fleas from your house can be a serious undertaking, especially since fleas can hide in carpeting, upholstery, bedding and sideboards. Additionally, a single fleabite can also trigger an allergic reaction in your dogs that lasts for up to seven days."
Protecting dogs from ticks is also important, said Dr. Ball.
"Dogs don't have to spend hours roaming the woods to contract ticks," warned Dr. Ball. "Dogs can get ticks from a short walk or even an afternoon at the dog park. All it takes is for a single tick bite to transmit Lyme disease. Since Lyme disease frequently mimics the symptoms of other diseases, identifying Lyme disease in pets can be challenging until the disease reaches more advanced stages."
To learn more about the benefits of flea and tick medication, contact Solomons Veterinary Medical Center.