After 30 years of helping families in the Southeast care for their pets, Dr. Teeples has seen how even the tiniest parasites, fleas and ticks, can cause some of the biggest health problems. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of infestation. These pests are more than just a seasonal nuisance; they can pose serious, even life-threatening, risks to pets and people alike.
“It’s always better to prevent parasites than to treat parasites,” Dr. Teeples says. “It saves both time and money in the long run.”
In this post, we’re breaking down what every pet owner needs to know about fleas and ticks, how to spot them, and how to protect your pets with internal medications like Sentinel and Bravecto, which we’ve trusted and recommended for years.
Know the Dangers of Fleas and Ticks
Fleas: More than an Itch
Fleas are tiny, fast-moving insects that feed on your pet’s blood and multiply quickly. Just one flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, leading to a full-blown infestation in a matter of days. But it’s not just about the itching. Fleas can cause:
Ticks: Silent, Slow, Dangerous
Ticks may be slower than fleas, but they’re often more dangerous. These blood-feeding parasites latch onto pets and can remain undetected for days. They’re notorious for carrying serious illnesses, including:
FLEA AND TICK MYTH
Contrary to popular belief, INDOOR PETS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO FLEAS AND TICKS! Fleas and ticks hitch rides into homes on shoes, clothing, or other pets. That’s why year-round prevention is vital regardless of where your pet spends most of their time.
Why Internal Prevention is Best
When it comes to protecting pets from fleas and ticks, there are many options—topicals, collars, shampoos, sprays—but internal medications offer unmatched reliability and protection.
How Internal Preventatives Work
Internal preventatives like Sentinel and Bravecto are chewable tablets that circulate through your pet’s bloodstream. When a flea or tick bites, they ingest the medication and die.
Because these medications work from the inside out, they offer several advantages:
Over our decades in practice, we’ve seen internal preventatives outperform other options in terms of both ease of use and effectiveness. Unlike collars that can fall off or topicals that wash away during baths, internal meds stay put and keep working.
Sentinel - Monthly, Broad-Spectrum Protection
Sentinel Spectrum is a once-monthly chewable that covers:
Fleas (egg development prevention)
Heartworms
Roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms
While it doesn’t kill adult fleas, it prevents them from reproducing, breaking the flea life cycle over time. Ideal for households looking for broad parasite protection in one monthly chew—especially if heartworm prevention is a priority.
Bravecto - Long-Lasting, Full Flea & Tick Protection
Bravecto is a chewable tablet given every 12 weeks for dogs and every 8 weeks for cats. It:
Kills adult fleas
Kills multiple types of ticks (including black-legged, American dog, and brown dog ticks)
Bravecto Quantum is the option for a single annual injection that protects your dog from fleas and ticks for twelve months straight. However, an additional heartworm treatment is still required.
Bravecto begins working within 2 hours and kills over 99% of fleas within 12 hours.
Ideal for busy people and families who want fewer doses and highly effective tick control.
Signs of Fleas and Ticks
You may not always see fleas or ticks, but there are signs to watch for:
Fleas
Ticks
If you suspect your pet has fleas or ticks—or if you’ve seen pests in your home—schedule a vet visit immediately. Early treatment can prevent more serious complications.
FLEA AND TICK PREVENTION MYTH:
It’s a common myth that flea and tick prevention is only necessary in spring and summer. In reality, fleas can thrive indoors year-round, and ticks can remain active through fall and winter in many regions. Even a single lapse in prevention gives parasites an opportunity to take hold. We recommend year-round coverage with a consistent internal preventative and regular checks during high-risk seasons.
Prevention at Home
While medications like Sentinel and Bravecto are your pet’s best defense, here are some additional tips to keep pests at bay:
Around the House
In the Yard
Prevention is Always Better than Treatment
Here’s the bottom line: treating a flea or tick infestation is stressful, expensive, and risky for your pet’s health. Preventing one is easy, affordable, and far less invasive.
With options like Bravecto and Sentinel, we can help you tailor the right parasite prevention plan for your pet’s age, size, breed, and lifestyle.
Don’t wait until you see the first scratch or find a tick behind the ear.
Call our clinic today (706-221-4115) to schedule your pet’s wellness check, discuss parasite risks in our area, and get the right prescription prevention on board. We’ll walk you through your options and answer any questions you have.
Your pet deserves a happy, itch-free summer and so do you.
FLEA AND TICK PREVENTION COMES FIRST WHEN HIKING WITH YOUR PET THIS SEASON.