Does your pet suffer from fleas or ticks? If so, you may be wondering whether to use over-the-counter or prescription flea and tick medications. To help you better understand how to treat your dog or cat’s fleas and ticks, Alexandria Pike Animal Hospital, Southgate, KY's leading veterinary center, is here to explain the best way to rid your pet of those annoying pests.

While over-the-counter flea and tick medications are widely available and seem like a convenient option, Alexandria Pike Animal Hospital’s veterinarians suggest avoiding them. Instead, opt for a prescription medication, which you can have prescribed to your pet by bringing them into your local pet hospital. Prescription  flea and tick medications pose several advantages that over-the-counter treatment options lack.

First, prescription flea and tick medications address your pet’s unique treatment needs. While over-the-counter medications may help your pet find some relief, they’re a generic treatment option. They don’t take into account the severity of your pet’s flea or tick infestation or whether or not an infection is already present. Their prescription counterparts are prescribed specifically to each pet after a complete evaluation is done by a veterinarian, ensuring they receive proper treatment for their specific condition.

Additionally, some over-the-counter treatment options are combination drugs, meaning they contain several types of medications to treat multiple conditions, such as ear mites and heartworm in addition to fleas and ticks. If your pet doesn't suffer from these other ailments, you are over-medicating them for conditions they don’t actually have. For this reason, it’s best to have your veterinarian prescribe a flea and tick medication that treats only the conditions which they are suffering.

If you’re dog or cat is suffering from fleas or ticks, be sure to take them into your local veterinarian’s office for an evaluation and to determine which treatment option is best. If you’re in the Southgate, Kentucky, area, pay a visit to the expert veterinarians at Alexandria Pike Animal Hospital, where some of the best flea and tick prescription medications are available, including Bravecto, Cheristin, and Activyl.

To schedule an appointment for your pet, give Alexandria Pike Animal Hospital a call today at (859) 781-1800. You can also browse their website to see a complete list of the services they offer, including vaccinations, pet boarding, and even emergency animal care.