Parasites can quickly cause irritating infestations and transmit serious diseases that make your pet sick and affect you and your family’s health. Some of the diseases transmitted are considered zoonotic, which means the disease can then also be passed from your pet to you. Parasites may catch a ride on your dog, cat, shoes, or enter through a window or door. No matter how clean you may keep your home, parasites often find their way inside. That is why it's wise to be vigilant with protective measures, and our hospital offers guidance on multiple parasite prevention and control programs.
Fleas are small, blood-sucking insects that feed on your pet (and you). Flea bites can cause itchiness and severe skin reactions, and if ingested by your pet, fleas can transmit tapeworms. A single flea can lay between 40 and 50 eggs a day, which can quickly lead to a massive infestation.
Ticks attach themselves when your pet walks through grassy or wooded areas and can transmit serious and sometimes fatal diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease. Ticks can feed off your pet (or you) for days before laying thousands of eggs inside your home.
In addition, because of the damages posed by intestinal parasites to both pets and people, all dogs and cats should have at least one fecal examination per year to test for intestinal parasites (e.g., roundworms, hookworms, Giardia). In some parts of the country where intestinal parasites are known to be more common, several fecal exams per year are recommended.
The best defense is year-round protection you can trust. Our staff and veterinarians can help you choose the correct product based on your pet’s risk factors and health status as well as your lifestyle. We can even have it shipped directly to your door through our Home Delivery program. If you worry about putting the box in a drawer and forgetting to administer the preventative, we understand. A single dose can be shipped every month with our Never Forget program. We love this program because when you receive it in the mail, it’s time to administer it. Ask our team for details.
