My dog gets Sentinal (sp ?) tablets on the first of each month for heartworm prevention and it also prevents fleas and ticks. We have had Max for 5 years now and I have never had a problem. Fleas and ticks in South Louisiana are always a problem and I am personally allergic to flea bites. During the dead of summer, my vet also vaccinates with a preventative if you are boarding your pets due to the increase in flea populations. Maybe if you try a different facililty that provides good flea prevention you could still have the nails done. The Sentinal is not cheap, but worth every penny to me. You can get these at the vet.