The Paw Print

At Caring Hands, our primary goal in vaccinating your pets is to protect them from preventable, life-threatening diseases. However, there is a secondary, lesser-known medical and financial benefit to having vaccines administered by a veterinarian rather than purchasing them over the counter. When a vaccine is properly handled and administered in a clinical setting, reputable manufacturers will typically cover treatment costs in the rare event of a severe reaction.

Parasites like fleas, ticks, mites, and lice are common problems for dogs and cats, even in places like Billings, Montana where winters can be cold. These pests do more than make pets itchy — they can spread diseases, cause skin infections, and create serious health problems for both animals and people. In this article, Dr. Erika Cantamessa explains the most common external parasites affecting pets and why prevention is so important.

Tick season in Montana often begins earlier than many pet owners expect. As temperatures rise above 40°F, ticks can become active — even if there’s still snow on the ground. With shifting weather patterns and longer active seasons, starting prevention before peak spring activity is one of the best ways to protect your pet. Here’s what Montana pet owners should know.