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 pet care advice about 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 tries to save $15 on pet care 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/
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Pet parenting is tough, but The Pet Parent Hotline helps solve real pet problems with practical pet care advice. Each week, we provide pet parent advice for overwhelmed pet parents trying to save money on pet food at the pet store, on vet bills, make puppy training easier, fix cat behavior problems like litterbox issues and scratching, and keep multi-pet households running smoothly. We also share expert tips for pet budgeting, managing dog behavior, stress-free vet visits, and keeping your home clean with pets. Follow for the pet parent support you need, so you can stop chasing your tail and start enjoying life with pets.
Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com
©Ⓟ 2025 by Amy Castro
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