Our hospital offers guidance on a number of parasite control programs. Here in Los Angeles, your pet is at risk from fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, and heartworm disease.
Fleas and ticks are capable of transmitting infection and disease to pets through a bite. Many pets also suffer from severe allergic reactions to the bites of fleas and ticks. It is imperative that owners prevent these parasites by using one of the many commercially available products that protect pets from fleas and ticks. Intestinal parasites (like roundworm, tapeworm, or Giardia) are also capable of causing severe illness in pets. Some intestinal parasites are also capable of causing disease in humans. We recommend all dogs and cats have at least one fecal examination per year to test for intestinal parasites.
Heartworm disease is a blood parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. As mosquitoes are more prevalent in Los Angeles, we are seeing a rise in the number of heartworm positive pets.
Many of our Los Angeles pets are also travelers. If you are taking your pet to other parts of the country, not only could your pet be at risk for contracting heartworm disease, but they could also be a source of infection for other pets back in Los Angeles. For this reason, we recommend annual heartworm testing and regular heartworm prevention. There are several options for complete parasite prevention for your pet. Our doctors will help you choose the best prevention for your pet based on their risk factors and general health.
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