Parasite Control and Prevention for Pets
Parasites pose lots of health risks, not only for your pet but your entire family. Pets are often transportation for parasites (both eggs and fully grown), which can carry harmful diseases. Ensuring your pet has a parasite control plan in place, which they’re taking regularly, limits the spread of these preventable diseases. Especially if you have children, seniors, pregnant or immuno-compromised people living at home, this alleviates the potential health risks pets might have to your family.
What are my pet’s parasite control options?
This medication might come in the form of an injection, oral or topical cream, depending on the type of parasite it is protecting your pet against. Before your pet starts a new type of preventive, we’ll do bloodwork in our in-house laboratory to ensure the medication will be received well and they aren’t already infected. Preventives are usually taken monthly around the same time. You should closely follow the directions to ensure your pet receives the full protection of the medication.
How do preventives work?
Preventives might protect against internal and external parasites. Internal parasites include heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. These intestinal parasites can create a lot of health issues for your pet, like vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and anemia. Pets can either get intestinal parasites from their mother or by eating soil, water or food contaminated by parasitic eggs. External parasites like fleas and ticks can create health issues like Lyme disease or allergic reactions. Preventives, when taken as prescribed, help protect your pet against these infections.
How can I tell if my pet has parasites?
Parasites manifest differently, depending on the type. It’s important to stay vigilant for any of the symptoms below and book an appointment for you pet at 403.934.3311, if you notice them:
