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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – JACKSONVILLE, Florida – As summer heats up and rainy days become frequent, pets are more susceptible to fleas than any other time of the year, according to Dr. Dean Severidt, local veterinarian and CEO of Pet Doctors of America. He said that all dogs and cats are vulnerable to fleas, even if they are considered indoor pets.
“Warm, wet weather is the prime time for fleas to appear on pets,” Severidt said. “The best way to protect your dogs and cats from fleas is to treat them all year and continue to groom them frequently.”
Severidt said fleas are external parasites that affect many animals and cause itching, allergies or even transmitting tapeworms. They feed on the blood of cats, dogs and other animals. While unlikely to cause fatal diseases, fleas can certainly cause discomfort and even trauma to pets. According to Severidt, adult fleas make up only 5 percent of the flea population and the other 95 percent is made of up of flea stages so tiny they may go unnoticed. Fleas will hide in carpet, furniture, bedding and between floorboards. Just one flea may signify an infestation in the home, which can lead to hundreds or thousands of fleas. Here are some easy tips to prevent pets from obtaining fleas:
Keep the home clean by regular vacuuming and sweeping. Fleas tend to dig into carpet and can even live in floorboards.
Wash sheets, rugs and pet’s bedding in hot water once a week or once every other week. Cleanliness is the most important prevention method for avoiding fleas.
“While fleas can be an annoyance for pets and their owners, they can be prevented and treated,” Severidt said. “At Pet Doctors of America, we stay abreast of the newest and best treatments available to control and prevent fleas. For every animal we see, we thoroughly examine them to determine the best possible course of action.”
Severidt said some symptoms that may signal a pet has fleas include excessive itching or biting of the fur and/or small red bumps on the skin. If a pet does contract fleas, Severidt said there are many ways to treat the animals, including sprays, shampoos, and oral medications. Pet Doctors of America uses treatments such as Sentinel and Capstar to treat pets with fleas and will match the price of any related product, whether from a retail store or the Internet.
Pet Doctors of America’s two walk-in care centers can treat pets seven days a week and pet owners never have to make an appointment. More information about treating fleas can be found online at www.petdoctorsofamerica.com, by visiting one of its care centers, or by calling (904) 223-5700 or (904) 285-7684.
Pet Doctors of America’s veterinarian care centers are located at 14333-43 Beach Blvd. in Pablo Station at the intersection of San Pablo Road and Beach Boulevard, and at 880 State Road A1A, Suite 21, in the Ponte Vedra Pointe shopping center. The hours at both locations are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information about Pet Doctors of America, call (904) 223-5700 for the Beach Boulevard location and (904) 285-7684 for the Ponte Vedra location or visit online at www.petdoctorsofamerica.com.
Pet Doctors of America is a unique concept in veterinary care with its signature “no appointment needed, ever” pet care solutions available seven days a week. The walk-in care centers feature a full-service veterinary menu including vaccinations, pet grooming, pet boarding, dental and oral care, and flea/heartworm care. The centers also include in-house laboratories and state-of-the-art ultrasound and digital radiology equipment to evaluate the health of pets. The trained veterinary team at Pet Doctors of America can perform surgical procedures at its care centers using the latest technology and equipment.
At every care center, Pet Doctors of America clearly posts its prices so there are never any surprises and there are never any additional fees for weekend or evening care. Pet Doctors of America’s licensed veterinarians provide peace of mind for owners of dogs and cats in a friendly, compassionate environment.
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