Dogs and cats around Concord need flea and tick prevention every month of the year, because some local ticks stay active through winter and fleas keep breeding indoors. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord is a vet clinic at 2425 Herrons Nest Pl NW, Suite 100, Concord, NC 28027, near Concord Mills, and it picks a product after looking at your pet's age, weight, lifestyle and the other pets at home.
Call (980) 360-2922 or book online.
Which ticks will my dog run into around Concord?
Three ticks matter most in Cabarrus County, according to NC State Extension.
American dog tick. Most common in the Piedmont. Adults are active in spring, summer and fall.
Lone star tick. Adults and nymphs are abundant in spring and summer. In fall, tiny larvae called seed ticks can show up in clusters.
Brown dog tick. May be active all year and feeds almost entirely on dogs. It can live and breed indoors, so one infested dog can lead to ticks in the house.
Ticks wait on tall grass along trail edges and unmowed field margins. A greenway walk can be enough.
In Cabarrus County in 2025, 0.84% of dogs tested were positive for Lyme disease, 0.88% for ehrlichiosis and 0.78% for anaplasmosis, according to Companion Animal Parasite Council data. Signs come days to weeks after a bite: fever, tiredness, poor appetite, limping that moves from leg to leg, or unusual bruising. Many dogs show nothing for a long time, so ask the Petfolk Concord doctor about a yearly blood screen.
Summer doubles the trouble
Across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics, 1.9% of sick visits from June to September mentioned fleas or ticks, compared with 1% from December to February (October 2025 to September 2026). At Petfolk Concord, 42% of kitten wellness visits sent flea and parasite prevention home, and 82% of cat parasite-prevention purchases were Revolution Plus, a monthly topical for cats.
Do pets around Concord really need prevention in winter?
Yes. The brown dog tick ignores the seasons, and fleas survive winter indoors in carpet, bedding and under furniture. A gap of a month or two lets fleas build up again, and clearing an established problem takes far longer than preventing one. The Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends continuous, year-round protection, and so does the Petfolk Concord team.
Chew, topical or collar: which should I choose?
Each type works, and the best one is the one you will give on time.
Chews. Easy to give, can't wash off after a swim, and start working quickly. Some also cover heartworm and intestinal worms.
Topicals. A liquid applied between the shoulder blades, good for pets that won't take chews. Keep the pet dry for the time the label says.
Collars. Some prescription collars last for months. They need to touch the skin, and suit dogs that chew on each other in play less well.
The doctor will ask whether children or cats share the home, since that can change the choice.
Never use the dog product on the cat
Some dog flea and tick products contain permethrin, which is toxic to cats even in small amounts, and cats can react from close contact with a freshly treated dog. Use a product labeled for each pet's species and weight. If your cat was exposed and starts drooling, twitching or shaking, wash the area with mild dish soap and call a vet right away.
How do I remove a tick safely?
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick tool, grip the tick close to the skin and pull straight up with steady pressure, without twisting.
Clean the bite spot and wash your hands.
Note the date in your phone.
Skip matches, petroleum jelly and nail polish, which can make the tick release more saliva.
Watch the spot. A small bump for a few days is common. Spreading redness, a limp or a fever is a reason to book.
A tick check and a refill fit into one visit, and our heartworm testing page explains the blood test that often goes with it.
What prevention costs at Concord
Prevention is usually started at a wellness exam, which starts at $99 or is included with PetfolkCare. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. Petfolk Concord is also a veterinary pharmacy that stocks monthly prevention, and fear-free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic.
Weak back legs or trouble breathing
Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your pet becomes weak in the back legs, has trouble breathing or collapses after a tick bite or flea treatment. Petfolk Concord is open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, and has no overnight care.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord, or see all veterinary services in Concord.
Flea and tick questions we hear often
Visit us on Herrons Nest Place NW