You’re staring at another $200 vet bill and wondering if skipping a month of flea, tick, or heartworm meds will really matter.
- Your dog barely goes outside.
- Your cat’s never seen a flea.
- And those preventatives are not cheap.
But what if that one skipped dose turns into a $3,000 emergency—or worse?
In this episode, I’m joined by veterinarian Dr. Linda Atkins to cut through the fear, guilt, and confusing advice around parasite prevention. We’re talking flea meds, tick risks, heartworm horror stories, and how to protect your pets without flushing your money down the drain.
If you’ve ever asked, “Do I really need to do this year-round?”, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL FIND OUT:
• When skipping a dose is no big deal, and when it could be deadly
• How your pet’s lifestyle, your location, and even your backyard shape real parasite risks
• How to protect your pet and your wallet without falling for fear-based sales tactics or bad advice from well-meaning friends
Because no one wants to be the pet parent who saves $15… and ends up with a $3,000 regret.
CONNECT WITH DR. LINDA ATKINS
Valley Cottage Animal Hospital, Valley Cottage, NY
OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
• Companion Animal Parasite Council – https://www.petsandparasites.org/
• American Heartworm Society – https://www.heartwormsociety.org/
Love the show? Please share it with another pet parent who wants less chaos and more clarity. Please leave a 5-star review to help others find real-life, judgment-free advice.
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Big pet challenges we help pet parents solve include: puppy training, cat behavior, pet budgeting, stress-free vet visits, solutions for multi-pet households, and more.
Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com
©Ⓟ 2025 by Amy Castro.
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