You can expect the 2016 flea and tick season to be a doozy, depending on where you live. For instance, local veterinarians in Amarillo, TX, “believe the early warm weather will cause flea and tick season to start early this year.” Instead of May, they predicted March. Wow — that’s two extra months with flea and tick patients. How about in your area?
If you haven’t checked out the parasite prevalence maps from CAPC (Companion Animal Parasite Council, you may want to take a look at the latest numbers in your county. And no matter what you find, you can be sure you’ll be treating infected animals this year as always, right?
The TriStar Vet team has put together an animal equipment and supplies checklist to manage a busy flea and tick season.
Is your team ready to manage flea-infested patients, dogs with tick bites, and other issues related to fleas and ticks? Go through this checklist to find out.
- You’ve got plenty of screening tests, preventatives, treatments, flea combs and tick-removal devices if needed — all stored in a handy location.
Have you contacted your supplier to make sure you’ve got a full stock of equipment and supplies for this season? If so – do you have enough space to house all the supplies?
If you’re tight on storage space and you’re always running around to grab the right supplies for flea and tick patients… consider adding storage cabinets or new treatment work areas to your hospital footprint. Today, you can choose from a variety of multi-purpose, stainless steel veterinary medical equipment options such as treatment/storage cabinets and veterinary work islands with pass-through drawers and open shelving for easy access to supplies.
- You’re all set with sanitary areas for diagnostics and treatment.
Flea and tick-related infections can be nasty to deal with, so it pays to make sure you’re working in a sanitary environment, for all involved. This may be a good time to think about your exam and treatment areas. Stainless steel is considered the most sanitary surface because NOTHING can permeate stainless steel, especially when table and cabinet corners are welded (no seams to warp and gap over time). Is it time for new stainless steel exam and treatment equipment?
In addition, you might appreciate adding a stainless steel Water-Flo™ table top to your treatment area because it quickly rinses blood and other matter off the surface between patients.
- You’ve got a modern, back-saving dog bath tub (or more than one).
If you happen to be boarding a dog and discover fleas, you may need to provide a bath among other things. As you know, some dogs would rather be anywhere than getting into a tub. Your team can easily handle big dogs and squirmy dogs in a modern grooming tub designed to save backs, such as a hydraulic-lift model or a step-in tub with swivel ramp.
If you’d like to explore any of these veterinary equipment solutions to support your team during a busy flea and tick season… contact us for assistance at 877.459.7827 or sales@tristarvet.com.
Other Questions? Comments? Please add a comment below. Thank you.