Parasites such as fleas and ticks can be damaging to your pet’s health. Preventive measures year-round inhibit outbreaks.
Pet Flea Treatment, Pet Tick Treatment, Pet Heartworm Prevention
Parasites can have serious consequences, diminish quality of life, and even cause life-threatening health issues for your pet. Common internal parasites include heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. The most frequent external parasites include fleas and ticks. At our West Kelowna Animal Hospital, we offer comprehensive flea treatments for dogs and cats, as well as effective flea and tick prevention solutions to protect your pets from these harmful parasites. Our West Kelowna vet team is here to ensure your pet receives the best care and prevention strategies.
Why are Parasites Dangerous?
Fleas:
Fleas are small, wingless, brown, fast-moving insects you can see in your pet’s fur. Some animals are allergic to flea saliva, causing inflammation and discomfort. If ingested while grooming, fleas can transmit an intestinal parasite called tapeworm. Flea infestations can lead to anemia and can transmit serious diseases. Our West Kelowna vet team offers vet flea treatments to manage and prevent fleas on dogs and cats effectively.
Ticks:
Ticks, members of the spider family, live in cracks and crevices at home or outside in grassy meadows, woods, brush, and weeds. Some tick bites cause mild irritation, while others can infect your pet with serious illnesses like Lyme disease. If left untreated, these diseases can lead to severe health problems or be fatal. For safe tick removal and effective flea and tick treatment for dogs and cats, visit our West Kelowna Animal Hospital. An annual blood test is required to screen for tick-borne diseases.
Heartworm Disease:
Heartworms live in the heart and surrounding blood vessels, transmitted by infected mosquito bites. Adult heartworms produce offspring called microfilariae, which circulate in the pet’s blood. Unrecognized and untreated heartworm infections can be fatal. Our Westbank Animal Care Hospital provides comprehensive heartworm prevention to protect your pets.
How Do I Know My Pet Has a Parasite?
Recognizing the signs of parasites in dogs and cats is crucial for early intervention and treatment. Common indicators include:
Fleas:
Look for excessive scratching, biting, or licking, especially around the tail and hindquarters. Flea bites on dogs and cats can cause visible red bumps, and you may see fleas on your pet’s fur. Flea control for dogs and cats is essential to prevent infestations.
Ticks:
Ticks on dogs and cats are often found in areas such as the neck, ears, and between the toes. If you notice a tick or signs of tick bites on dogs, such as swelling or redness, contact our West Kelowna Veterinary team for safe removal and tick prevention advice.
Internal Parasites:
Symptoms of internal parasites in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and a pot-bellied appearance. Signs of parasites in cats can also include vomiting, diarrhea, and a dull coat. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a visit to our West Kelowna Animal Hospital for a thorough examination.
Our expert veterinarians at West Kelowna Veterinary are here to help diagnose and treat any parasitic infections, ensuring your pet’s health and well-being.
When Should I Seek Treatment for Parasites?
Fleas:
If your pet is showing signs of fleas such as continuous scratching, gnawing, or licking, schedule an appointment immediately. Flea dirt, which looks like coffee grounds or pepper, can often be seen on your pet’s abdomen or by combing their coat with a fine-tooth comb. Our West Kelowna Animal Hospital offers effective vet flea treatments to eliminate fleas on dogs and cats and prevent future infestations.
Ticks:
If you see a tick on your pet, do not try to burn it off with a match, as this could harm your pet. Make an appointment with our West Kelowna Veterinary team for the safe removal of the tick by a trained professional. Effective flea and tick prevention for dogs and cats is essential to protect them from tick-borne diseases.
Heartworm Disease:
The best treatment for heartworms is prevention. One of the most common and effective prevention methods is monthly oral medication. Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites, and pets usually show no signs for months. Later symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing, weight loss, tiring easily, and listlessness. An annual blood test is recommended to screen for heartworms. Early detection and treatment are crucial but can be costly. Our Westbank Animal Care Hospital provides comprehensive heartworm prevention to keep your pets safe.
How Can I Prevent Parasites?
Our expert veterinary team at West Kelowna Animal Hospital is here to help you choose the correct preventive regimen based on your pet’s risk factors and health status. It is important to discuss with us yearly which pest control products are ideal for your household based on the everyday life of your pet. Effective flea and tick prevention for dogs and cats, along with regular vet visits, can significantly reduce the risk of parasites. Contact our West Kelowna Veterinary team to ensure your pet is protected with the best flea treatments, heartworm prevention, and other necessary measures to keep parasites at bay.