Proactive and Thorough: Preventative Care Means Longer, Happier Lives

Parasites are an ongoing threat to dogs. To keep your best friend healthy, it's important to provide them with flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. These parasites are active for much of the year, so your dog's prevention routine should continue year-round. External parasites like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are not only irritating but can also transmit harmful diseases.

Flea bites can cause allergic reactions and skin infections. Ticks can spread Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Mosquitoes can transmit heartworm disease, which is potentially fatal. The best way to minimize your dog's risk of infection is to keep them on parasite prevention for life.

Our Recommended Parasite Preventatives

Our hospital in Fairfax carries effective parasite preventatives for dogs, including:

  • Bravecto – A flea and tick preventative available as a chewable tablet or liquid topical application. One dose protects your dog for up to three months.
  • Tri-Heart Plus – A monthly chewable tablet that protects against heartworm disease.

For the highest level of protection, we recommend keeping your dog on preventatives all year round. If you're not sure which preventatives are best for your dog or when to start, we're here to help! Your veterinarian can provide guidance on the best prevention routine to ensure your dog stays safe. If your dog has missed a few doses, we can help you get back on track. Call us today at (703) 273-2110.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Flea and Tick Prevention

Can my dog get fleas even if they stay mostly indoors?
Yes. Fleas can hitch a ride on clothing, other pets, or even come in through gaps in doors and windows. Indoor dogs are not immune, and a single flea can quickly become an infestation in your home. Year-round prevention is the most effective approach regardless of lifestyle.

What is the difference between flea prevention and flea treatment?
Prevention stops fleas from establishing on your dog in the first place. Treatment is what you use after an infestation has already started, which is harder and takes longer. We recommend starting with prevention so you never need to get to treatment.

Which flea and tick prevention is right for my dog?
That depends on your dog's size, age, health history, and how much time they spend outdoors. We carry several options, including topical treatments and oral medications. Our team will help you choose the safest and most effective product for your specific dog at your next visit.

How do dogs pick up fleas and ticks?
Fleas jump onto dogs from grass, soil, other animals, and even indoor environments where eggs have been left behind. Ticks attach in wooded areas, tall grass, and leaf piles, and they can be as small as a poppy seed, making them easy to miss. Both parasites are active in the Fairfax area from spring through fall, but ticks in particular can be found year-round on warmer winter days, which is why we recommend keeping prevention going through every season.

What is the safest and most effective flea and tick prevention for dogs?
There is no single answer that fits every dog. The best option depends on your dog's size, age, health history, and lifestyle. Prescription options, including oral chews and topical treatments, tend to be more reliable than over-the-counter products. We can help you choose based on what is most practical for you and what will keep your specific dog protected. Never use cat flea products on dogs or dog products on cats, as certain ingredients are toxic to the other species.

My dog already has fleas. What should I do?
Treat your dog with an appropriate product right away, but also treat your home. Flea eggs and larvae live in carpet, bedding, and furniture, not just on your pet, so treating only the dog leaves the infestation ongoing. Wash all bedding in hot water, vacuum thoroughly and dispose of the bag, and consider a home treatment spray for severe cases. If you are not seeing improvement within a few weeks, call us. Some infestations need a more aggressive plan.