Parasite Prevention

Prevention is the best approach in protecting your pet against deadly heartworms, intestinal parasites, and flea and tick infestations. Your veterinarian will help you find the product that is right for your pet based on his or her needs.

External Parasites: Fleas, Ticks, & Mites

Fleas thrive when the weather is warm and humid, although they can also be active in cooler weather. All cats and dogs are susceptible to flea infestations. Beyond the skin irritation and discomfort, flea infestations can also cause deadly infestations, flea-allergy dermatitis, flea-related anemia, and the transmission of tapeworm parasites if ingested.

Ticks can spread serious infectious diseases such as Lyme, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis to pets and people. Pet owners should inspect their pets regularly for ticks, large and small, especially after being outside in wooded or grassy areas.

Ear and skin mites are extremely contagious in cats and dogs (mostly found in cats). Mites are passed from animal to animal. If there are multiple pets in one household, each one should be taken to the vet and checked for mites. Mites are not easily seen and the following symptoms could be a sign that your cat has mites: head-shaking, scratching at ears, a dark waxy or crusty discharge from the ear, inflammation, irritation, or hair loss from excessive scratching, and pus. Left untreated, mites can lead to other serious secondary infections.

Internal Parasites: Intestinal Parasites & Heartworm

Roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, whipworm, Coccidia, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium are all common in cats and dogs. It is possible to transmit some of these parasites from pets to humans.

Mosquitoes can spread heartworm, a harmful disease that is predominantly found in dogs but can also affect cats. As its name implies, heartworm lives in the blood of a pet’s heart and blood vessels. We recommend annual screenings for dogs, even if they are already on heartworm preventatives and talk to your veterinarian about heartworm preventatives for your cats.

Life is better for your pet and family without parasites. Let us help you choose your flea, tick, heartworm, and intestinal parasite preventatives. Call us today at (978) 453-1784!