PARASITES CAN CAUSE A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR PETS, WHICH IS WHY WE RECOMMEND
YEAR-ROUND PROTECTION
in the form of a monthly preventative. We also recommend annual testing.
Although they probably think they’re invincible to any and all dangers, dogs and cats (yes, even the indoor ones) can easily be exposed to parasites, which might put their health at risk. Parasites can cause a number of problems for your four-legged friend. Some minor. Some major. They include vomiting, weight loss, respiratory issues, allergy dermatitis, Lyme disease, and malnutrition. Some can even be life-threatening, like heartworm disease.
Our Parasite Prevention Protocols
Best Friends Animal Hospital carries several preventative products in house to keep your pet safe from parasitic diseases and other health problems. We also have an online pharmacy, where you can find many more options, including NexGard Chewables, Bravecto Chews, Heartgard Plus Chewables, Trifexis, Revolution, and ProVecta, to name a few. Some products are available in liquid form while others are available in tablet form. We also carry Seresto flea and tick collars.
We typically discuss parasite prevention during the wellness visits, so feel free to ask us any questions you have at that time. We’ll be happy to answer them and provide our recommendations for which product(s) would be best for your pet.
Intestinal Parasites and Heartworms
Internal parasites are the ones that live in the organs of an animal. The most common ones we see are intestinal parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, and tapeworms – all of which can also affect humans. Pets can become infected with worms by interacting with other animals that are already infected and eating the eggs of worms in feces, among other ways.
Heartworms are another common parasite we see, but as the name implies, these worms live in the heart of an animal, not the intestines. Pets can become infected with heartworms after being bitten by infected mosquitoes.
Intestinal worms can be detected with a fecal exam, which is why we recommend fecal testing at least once a year. Heartworms, however, can only be detected with a blood test and can cause heart disease, which can be fatal if left untreated.
External Parasites
External parasites, in contrast, are the critters that live on a pet’s skin and fur, so they’re much easier to detect. The most common ones we see here at Best Friends Animal Hospital are fleas, ticks, mites, and mange. These pesky parasites can be transmitted from animal-to-animal contact and from the environment. For example, fleas and ticks are prevalent in shady, moist, low-level areas. With this in mind, it’s always a good idea to check your pet for these critters after they’ve been outside for an extended period of time, such as after a hike through the woods.