Parasite prevention is an important part of keeping your pets healthy and minimizing the risk to humans in the house as well. We offer products to provide protection against ticks, fleas, heartworm, and common intestinal parasites.
Tick prevention
Ticks have become incredibly prevalent in North America and South Central Ontario. These parasites aren’t just a nuisance; they can cause serious and sometimes deadly diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and tick paralysis. Even indoor-only pets are at risk because ticks can hitch a ride inside on your clothing or shoes. Don’t panic if you find a tick on your dog or cat, even if your pet is on a preventive. Some preventives kill ticks after they’ve come in contact with your pet. Ticks can hide under your pet’s fur, so as an added measure of protection for your pet and you, we recommend checking your pet for ticks every time they come in from outside. And don’t hesitate to ask us any questions you might have.
Year-round tick prevention is now recommended as ticks are out and active any day the temperatures are above 0*C.
Flea prevention
Fleas can cause problems for pets ranging from minor to life-threatening. Not only can these parasites cause severe itching, irritation, and allergies, but they can also transmit tapeworms and diseases. Fleas can infest dogs, cats, ferrets, mice, and rats. And fleas don’t just stay on pets; they can bite people, too. For more information, contact us or see the flea article in the Pet Health Library on our site.
You don’t want these blood-sucking parasites on your pet or in your home. We can help keep them away or help you get rid of them if they’ve already found their way inside. Call us to find out how to eliminate and control fleas or to start your pet on a preventive today.
Heartworm prevention
Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes when they bite. Heartworm can severely and sometimes fatally damage the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Some pets may not show any signs of infection; in those that do, symptoms can vary widely.
In dogs, signs of heartworm disease can range from coughing, fatigue, and weight loss to difficulty breathing and a swollen abdomen (caused by fluid accumulation from heart failure). Canine heartworm infection can also lead to a life-threatening complication called “caval syndrome” (a form of liver failure). Without prompt surgical intervention, this condition usually causes death.
Although often thought to not be susceptible to heartworm infection, cats can indeed get heartworms. Cats can suffer from a syndrome referred to as heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD. The symptoms can be subtle and may mimic those of asthma or allergic bronchitis. Signs of respiratory distress, such as rapid or difficult breathing, wheezing, and panting, are common. Other symptoms include coughing, vomiting (typically unrelated to eating), and loss of appetite or weight. Heartworm infection is more difficult to diagnose in cats than it is in dogs.
Treatment for heartworm infection, which can be fatal to your dog, is far more expensive than prevention. There is no approved treatment for cats. Some cats spontaneously rid themselves of the infection, while others might not survive it. And even one or two adult heartworms in a cat can cause serious problems. Prevention is key.
Fortunately, you can keep your dog or cat safe by administering monthly heartworm preventives during mosquito season. Most heartworm medications also protect your pet against other parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, ear mites, fleas, and ticks. We can recommend a regimen of prevention for your pet.