Parasite Prevention and Control

There was a time when parasites like fleas, ticks, and roundworms were considered mostly a nuisance. Today, however, we know that parasites can cause serious illness and even death in pets. For example:

• Ticks can transmit infections like Lyme disease.
  
  
• Fleas can transmit tapeworms and Bartonella – the bacteria that causes “cat-scratch fever” in humans.
  
  
• Heartworm, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can cause damage to your pet’s lungs and heart and even kill them
  
  
• Intestinal parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, also threaten pets and are even transmissible to humans.

The Hidden Danger

Unfortunately, you may not always be able to tell if your pet has parasites. Fleas can hide under your pet’s fur, and some ticks are very tiny (only the size of a pinhead), so they are very difficult to find. Intestinal parasites like roundworms can cause diarrhea and other problems, but many infected pets don’t show any signs of illness at all.

Schedule an Exam Today!

Veterinary examinations and parasite testing are important ways to protect your pet’s health. Contact us today to explore a comprehensive parasite control program. We can recommend a schedule for parasite testing, discuss what signs of parasites you can look for at home, review ways to control parasites in and around your home, discuss treatment options if your pet has parasites, and recommend ways to control and prevent parasites in the future.