Parasites are more than just a nuisance. They can cause serious illness to your pet and affect your family and pet’s quality of life.

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks are the most common parasites you as a pet owner will see, but we know that these pesky creatures can cause a mountain of issues within your pet. Fleas are a top cause of dermatitis-related problems with dogs and cats. Some pets become so irritated that they cause self-inflicted lesions. A flea infestation can quickly make your pet become anemic. When ingested, fleas can infest your pet’s intestinal tract with internal parasites (tapeworms). Fleas can also transmit Bartonella, the bacteria that causes “cat-scratch fever” in humans.

Ticks transmit and spread many tick-borne diseases. The most common diseases we see in this area are Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichia. Lyme disease is the most prevalent and can cause a variety of spin-off issues such as lameness, lethargy, kidney issues, and joint swelling.

Heartworms

Another parasite that we see more in our area than ever before is heartworm. Heartworms are a worm that lives in your dog’s heart and lungs, causing damage to major internal organs. Heartworm disease is 100% preventable by giving your pet a monthly heartworm prevention chew. Heartworms are treatable, but the cost of treatment can be expensive, overwhelming, and painful for your pet. You can treat your pet with monthly prevention for almost ten years for the cost of treating
your pet for heartworm infestation one time.

Internal Parasites

There are a variety of internal parasites that your pet can contract from other infected pets. This can also happen when consuming things in the yard or community or drinking water. Some pets will be outwardly symptom-free but can have multiple internal parasites affecting their system. These internal parasites can be diagnosed by a fecal screening and an appropriate deworming schedule. It is recommended to perform a fecal screen every 6 to 12 months, depending on your pet’s lifestyle.

Please give us a call at 508-759-2521 to discuss any questions, concerns, or symptoms your pet may be exhibiting when it comes to parasites.