Dr Zoe Costigan and Dobby

Your dog having worms isn’t something to joke about. Worms can be seriously harmful to your pet and you should treat them as quickly as possible. Scroll to find out the signs and symptoms of dog worms, and how to deworm your pet safely. 

There are a few different types of worms that can infest dogs with roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms being the most common. Each can look a little different and cause different symptoms. Click here to see what worms look like!

So you’ve got fleas…

Your cat is scratching like mad, or you’ve seen tiny dark specks (flea dirt) in their fur… Ah, hello fleas. If you’re reading this, it seems like your current flea killing approach isn’t working. This is more than likely because you’re not attacking the source. Sorry to break it to you but the fleas you're seeing are really only the tip of the iceberg. Flea eggs and larvae (flea stages before they develop into adults) lurk in your carpets, soft furnishings, or the garden. This means treating just your cat won’t cut it. To get rid of 100% of fleas, you need a combination of proper pet treatment, deep home cleaning, and consistent prevention. So here’s what you’re going to do…

Fleas, those pesky little creatures that can cause so much trouble for our beloved pets, are often hard to spot with the naked eye due to their tiny size. However, understanding what fleas look like is essential for effective prevention and treatment. Here, we explore the appearance of fleas, including pictures of fleas, their size, and the distinct features that differentiate dog fleas from cat fleas. We will also take a closer look at flea eggs and highlight other bugs that may resemble fleas, helping you to identify and deal with these nuisances.

Keeping an eye on your dog’s magic number (the ideal weight for their breed and age) is super important.

If you know your dog’s weight, it's easier to work out things like how much food they should eat, or the amount of flea or worm treatment to give them. Getting the right treatment is the safest and most effective way to prevent your dog getting fleas or worms.

Not all flea treatments are created equal. So it may be the treatment you used hasn’t done the job and you need to use something stronger. Itch Flea Treatment is a vet-strength, double action spot on treatment that not only contains Fipronil but also (unlike lots of other flea treatments), (S) Methoprene. Treatments that also include (S) Methoprene, like Itch Flea Treatment not only target the adult fleas feeding on your pets and kills them dead in 24 hours (and ticks in 48 hours), but also targets flea eggs and larvae, stopping the fast and furious flea life cycle dead in its tracks to stop new fleas developing.

We asked in-house Itch vet, Dr. Zoe Costigan to give us the lowdown on why your cat or dog might still be scratching after applying a flea treatment to your pet. Here's what she had to say:

“It’s fairly normal for there to be a period of hyperactivity amongst the fleas as the active ingredients in a flea treatment take effect and this can cause an increase in your pet scratching. It should settle down after 24 hours. If after 24 hours your pet continues to scratch, there could be other things going on. Your pet could be flea-allergic, it could have a skin infection or a hormone imbalance, or other conditions which can lead to itchiness.”

Nothing kills the vibe like finding out your pet has fleas. It starts with a scratch, then another, and before you know it, you have a full blown flea infestation on your hands.

But don’t panic. Fleas might be persistent little nuisances, but science is on your side. Fipronil and S-Methoprene are two active ingredients used in spot-on flea treatments. This chemical combination knocks out a flea infestation fast and stops any fleas from bouncing back. Keep reading to find out why you should ONLY use flea treatment with Fipronil and S-Methoprene!

Applying tick treatment and still seeing these pesky buggers? A lot of pet owners can run into issues with their tick treatment, especially during spring and summer when ticks are out in full force. Read more to find out how to NEVER let ticks don’t bother your pet.

Knowing how to safely and effectively remove ticks from pets is key for their well-being. These parasites can cause a huge host of bother for us humans and our furry companions so it’s super important to have the right knowledge to sort those buggers out! Here, our in-house vet Zoe will guide you through the best treatment for ticks; the process of removing ticks from your pets, including embedded ticks and tick heads stuck in the skin. We’ll also explore ongoing tick treatment and prevention strategies to ensure these troublesome critters don't come back. Let's dive into the wonderful world of tick removal and protection for your beloved pets.

As pet owners, we all know that fleas can be a pesky and persistent problem. These tiny parasites can infest our furry friends, causing discomfort and potential health issues if left unchecked. Fleas are most active during certain periods of the year, which we commonly refer to as the "peak flea season." Here, we dive into the crucial information you need to know about when fleas are most active, when they come out, and whether they prefer hot or cold weather conditions. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be better equipped to protect your beloved pets and your home from these bothersome critters.

Hey Lab lovers! Let's talk about a crucial aspect of our furry friends' health: dental care. As our Labradors hit the ripe age of 2, they become particularly susceptible to dental disease. A dog's lifespan can be shortened by 1-3 years if they get dental disease, so it's essential to pay close attention to their dental health to ensure they lead happy and healthy lives. So, grab a biscuit (for you or your Lab, your choice!) and let's delve into the world of dental disease in Labs together!