Flea & Tick Prevention: Protecting Your Pets

Protect your dogs and cats from ticks, fleas, and tick-borne diseases. Learn about prevention, local pests, and online pharmacy ordering

Oklahoma’s long, warm spring and summer seasons make fleas and ticks a persistent threat for local pets. While we enjoy the beautiful woods and pastures around Luther, our pets are often exposed to tall grasses, brush, and wildlife that harbor these pesky parasites.

More than just a nuisance that causes itching, fleas and ticks transmit serious, life-threatening pathogens to our dogs and cats. Fortunately, modern veterinary preventative medicine makes protecting your family and pets easier than ever.

The Tick Threat in Rural Oklahoma.

We regularly see several tick species in the Luther area, including the Deer Tick, American Dog Tick, and Lone Star Tick. Ticks attach to your pet and feed on their blood, transmitting bacteria directly into the bloodstream within 24 to 48 hours:

Lyme Disease: Causes chronic joint pain, lameness, fever, and kidney damage in dogs.

Ehrlichiosis & Anaplasmosis: Bacterial infections that attack white blood cells and platelets, causing bleeding disorders, lethargy, and joint swelling.

Screening for Infections: At Tailored Animal Care, we screen for these hidden bacterial infections during our wellness exams using an in-home 4Dx Snap Test ($65.00), which yields results in minutes from a tiny blood sample.

The Flea Threat: More Than an Itch.

Fleas reproduce rapidly, with a single female laying up to 50 eggs a day. An active flea infestation on your pet can cause:

Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD): An allergic reaction to flea saliva that causes severe scratching, chewing, hair loss, and painful secondary skin infections (hot spots).

Tapeworms: Pets swallow fleas while grooming, leading to intestinal tapeworm infections.

Anemia: Severe flea infestations can drain red blood cells, particularly in young puppies and kittens.

Why Over-the-Counter Solutions Fall Short.

Many owners purchase cheap flea collars or supermarket spot-on treatments. Unfortunately, these products are often ineffective due to local pest resistance. Some contain harsh chemicals that can cause chemical burns or neurological reactions in sensitive pets.

Prescription-strength preventatives are clinically tested, highly effective, and much safer. We offer two primary types:

Oral Chews (for Dogs): Monthly tasty treats (like NexGard, Simparica, or Bravecto) that kill fleas and ticks rapidly before they can transmit diseases.

Topical Treatments (for Cats): Easy-to-apply monthly drops (like Revolution or Frontline) that insulate cats from parasites.

[!IMPORTANT] Prescription Policy: Clinical flea and tick preventatives are regulated prescription medications. By Oklahoma law, your pet must have an annual physical examination ($65.00) with Dr. Loomis to establish a valid VCPR before we can authorize these prescriptions.

Convenient Home Delivery

Once your pet’s annual exam is complete, you can purchase all flea and tick preventatives through our Online Pharmacy. You can set up auto-ship so you never miss a monthly dose, and orders over $49.00 ship to your door for free.

Published by: Dr. Lisa Loomis, DVM (Lic. #6626)