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 to your pet. Common internal parasites include heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. The most frequent external parasites include fleas and ticks.
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 the saliva of fleas, which can cause inflammation and more discomfort. If ingested while your pet is grooming themselves, fleas can transmit an intestinal parasite called tapeworm. Flea infestations can lead to anemia and fleas are also capable of transmitting serious diseases.
Ticks:
Ticks are members of the spider family and live in cracks and crevices in the home or outside in vegetation such as grassy meadows, woods, brush, and weeds. Some tick bites only cause mild irritation or swelling at the site, but other tick bites can infect your pet with serious illnesses. If left untreated, these diseases, such as lyme, can lead to more severe health problems or even be fatal.
Note: If you see a tick and cannot remove it, contact us for safe removal from a trained professional to limit the impact of the tick’s attachment. An annual blood test is required to screen for tick-borne diseases.
Heartworm Disease:
Heartworms are parasites that live in the heart and its surrounding blood vessels and are transmitted when an infected mosquito bites your pet. The adult heartworm produces offspring called microfilariae, which circulate in the pet’s blood. Unrecognized and untreated heartworm infections can be fatal.
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. Additionally, flea dirt, the byproduct of fleas that looks like coffee grounds or pepper, can usually be seen by looking at your pet’s abdomen of by combing your pet’s coat with a fine-tooth comb.
Ticks:
If you see a tick on your pet, do not try and burn it off with a match. This does not work and could harm your pet. Make an appointment with us for safe removal of the tick from a trained professional.
Heartworm Disease:
The best treatment for heartworms is prevention. One of the most common and effective prevention methods is a monthly oral medication. The parasites are transmitted through mosquito bites and usually, the pet shows no signs for months. Later symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing, weight loss, tiring easily and listlessness. In many cases, pets do not show outward signs until advanced stages of the disease. An annual blood test is recommended to screen for heartworms. This disease can be treated if found early, but it can be costly.
How Can I Prevent Parasites?
Our expert veterinary team 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.