Parasite prevention

Parasite infestations in pets were once a problem in certain states. Now parasites are a problem throughout the country.

To help curb parasites, you can wash your pets often and clean the house frequently.

However, for complete parasite protection you must contact a veterinarian. Only your veterinarian can provide the prescription medications that can safely protect your pet from fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other insects. A veterinarian can also :

• provide information about parasites that are prevalent in your area.
• test your pet for infection.
• treat your pet if it is infected.
• and develop a routine for preventative treatment that will keep your pet healthy.

Contact us for information about Parasites, Parasite Testing and Parasite Prevention.

A veterinarian can help protect your pet from these common parasitic diseases :

One of the most serious challenges to your pet’s life is heartworm. The disease starts with a mosquito bite.

A mosquito can deposit larvae into your pet’sbloodstream. These larvae can develop into heartworms. Mature heartworms can grow 6-12 inches long. More than one heartworm can live in the heart of your pet. As a consequence, heartworms can seriously damage your pet’s heart, lungs, kidney and liver. Often, heartworms cause death.

Dogs are ideal hosts for heartworms. Heartworms can live and reproduce inside a dog. A dog can host hundreds of heartworms.

Symptoms :

• In the early stages of heartworm infection, a dog will usually not show symptoms.
• As the heartworm infestation progresses, a dog may develop a cough, fatigue, become lethargic, disinterested in food, and lose weight.
• In the later stages, a dog can suffer cardiac arrest.

Treatment :

• If you dog tests positive for heartworm, we will immediately take action.Your dog’s exercise will be limited to decrease possible damage to the heart and lungs.
• Before any treatment can start, your dog’s condition must be stabilized. This can take many weeks.Allow your baby decide how long to feed.
• After your dog is stabilized, treatment for heartworm can begin. Dogs in the early stages of heartworm infection have a higher rate of success, for more diseased dogs, many complications can occur. Use both breasts at each feeding
• Six months after treatment, a second heartworm test will be given to confirm the heartworms have been eliminated. Unfortunately, even after the heartworms are eliminated, a dog’s health can be impacted.

Contact us if your pet has symptoms of a heartworm infection. Our office can test for heartworm, treat heartworm infection and provide preventative treatments.

Cats are not ideal hosts for heartworms, so heartworms do not reproduce in cats. However, the few immature worms that can infest a cat’s bodywill cause serious respiratory problems.

Symptoms

• A cat with heartworm may cough and have difficulty breathing.
• The heartworm can move to other parts of the cat’s body

Treatment

• Heartworms are often undetected in cats and the medication for canine heartworm cannot be used for cats.
• It is important to have you cat tested for heartworm.
• Even though there is no medication for feline heartworm infection, veterinary treatment can stabilize your cat’s health. An infected cat may require hospitalization, intravenous fluids and antibiotics.

Prevention is the best way to protect your pets from heartworms. The medication to prevent heartworm can only be purchased from a licensed veterinarian.

First, the veterinarian will test for heartworm, and if the result is negative, preventative treatment can begin.

Contact us about Heartworm Disease, Heartworm Testing, and Preventative Heartworm Treatments for Your Pets.

Ticks can be found in grass and woodlands. Mature ticks rely on large hosts, such as pets, to complete their reproductive cycle.

As a result of tick bite, a pet could experience serious infection including Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichiosis. All of these conditions can be deadly.

An animal that has been bitten by ticks may become lethargic, run a fever, and lose its appetite.

To protect your pet from tick bite, there are practical steps you can take.

• Keep your grass and yard carefully trimmed.
• Avoid taking your pet to thick grasses and wooded areas.
• Check your pet for ticks; especially look in the ears, between the toes, in the groin area, and tail.
• Use topical applications and tablets to prevent tick infection.

 

Contact us for more information about preventative treatment for all these parasites.

Fleas are another common parasite. Fleas can rapidly reproduce and infect your home. They are the primary cause of pet allergies. Flea bites may be exhibited by bumps, scratching, licking, "hot spots”, swelling or blistering. Fleas can also lead to heartworm infection and anemia.

If you do see fleas on your pet, be concerned. The vast majority of the flea infestation is internal. The damage that is being done cannot be seen.

Eradication of fleas requires meticulous cleaning. You must :

• Carefully vacuum all carpets.
• Spray carpets with insecticide spray.
• Wash all pet bedding.
• Treat your yard with insecticide

Your vet has medication that can kill your pet’s fleas in just a matter of hours.

Contact us for more information about control and prevention of tick infection.