Flea & Tick Prevention in Holly Springs, NC, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Holly Springs is a vet in Holly Springs, NC, that prescribes flea and tick prevention for dogs and cats. Most pets in central North Carolina do best on prevention all year, because fleas live through mild winters indoors and ticks come out on warm days.

Fleas make pets itch and can spread tapeworms. Ticks can pass on infections that cause fever, joint pain and low energy.

Call (919) 591-0887 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

Why do Holly Springs pets need flea and tick prevention?

The Holly Springs clinic page lists fleas, ticks and signs of tick-borne illness after hikes, dog park visits and time outdoors among the problems the team treats most. Holly Springs has a lot of green space: wooded greenways like Carl Dean and Middle Creek, the trails at Crowder District Park and the open yards at Sugg Farm. Tall grass and leaf litter along those paths are where ticks wait for a passing dog.

Lone star ticks and American dog ticks are common across North Carolina and are most active in spring and summer. A good preventive kills ticks before they have time to pass on most infections.

What flea and tick products work best?

The vet at Petfolk Holly Springs helps you pick a product based on your pet's species, weight, health and routine. Common choices:

• Monthly chewables for dogs. Many also cover heartworm and intestinal worms in one dose.

• Topical liquids placed on the skin between the shoulder blades. A good choice for cats.

• Longer-lasting chewables that are given every few months.

Never use a dog product on a cat. Some dog flea treatments contain permethrin, which is toxic to cats even in small amounts.

How do I check my pet for ticks?

After a walk on the greenway or a day in the yard, run your hands slowly over your pet. Ticks like warm, hidden spots:

1. Inside and behind the ears.

2. Around the eyes and on the face.

3. Under the collar.

4. In the armpits and groin.

5. Between the toes.

Found one? Grip it right at the skin with fine tweezers and pull straight out, slow and even. Don't twist, burn or smother it. Drop it in a sealed bag and keep it for a few weeks; if your pet gets sick later, the vet will want to know what kind of tick it was.

Already seeing fleas

Fleas lay eggs that fall into carpets, beds and the yard, so one treatment rarely ends it. Treat every pet in the home, including the ones that aren't scratching. Wash bedding in hot water and vacuum often for a few weeks. Keep prevention going for at least three months to break the life cycle.

Flea allergies can also cause hot spots and hair loss. If your pet's skin looks red or raw, see pet skin conditions in Holly Springs.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, so even an itchy, cranky pet is checked gently.

They're always so kind, patient, and informative.

Shelley B., Google review

What does flea and tick prevention cost in Holly Springs?

The cost at Petfolk Holly Springs depends on your pet's weight and the product. Prevention is usually started at an exam, and a wellness exam starts at $99, or is included with a PetfolkCare membership which starts at $199 a year. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Signs of a tick-borne illness

Call the clinic if your dog has a fever, limps on one leg and then another, seems tired, stops eating or has nosebleeds after a tick bite. These can be signs of an infection the vet can test for. If your pet collapses or has trouble breathing, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital.

Find us

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Holly Springs is at 105 Village Walk Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540. The on-site pharmacy can fill your pet's prevention at the visit. Call (919) 591-0887, book online or walk in.

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