Parasites are a threat to your pet's health, regardless of whether they live indoors or out. From tiny fleas and ticks to dangerous heartworm and intestinal worms, these pests can cause serious illness and discomfort. The good news is that with the right preventative care plan, you can protect your dog or cat from a wide range of parasites.
Your dog loves to explore, and unfortunately, so do parasites. Protecting your dog from these pests is a crucial part of their wellness care, helping to prevent uncomfortable symptoms and serious diseases.
Fleas: These are a constant threat and can cause severe skin irritation and allergic reactions. Flea bites can also transmit tapeworms.
Ticks: Ticks can transmit dangerous diseases like Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichiosis. Prevention is especially important if your dog spends time in wooded or grassy areas.
Mites: Ear mites, sarcoptic mites (mange), and demodectic mites can cause intense itching, hair loss, and other skin issues.
Heartworm: Transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworm disease is a potentially fatal condition that affects the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. A monthly preventative is the best way to keep your dog safe.
Intestinal Worms: Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms are common in dogs. They can cause digestive upset, weight loss, and other health issues. Regular deworming and fecal exams are key to controlling them.
Monthly Preventatives: These are the cornerstone of parasite protection. We offer a variety of safe, effective, and veterinarian-approved products that protect against a wide range of parasites. These may be in the form of a chewable tablet or a topical “spot-on” liquid. Many of these products are a multi-purpose solution, protecting against fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms all in a single dose. Consistent, year-round administration is vital, as a single missed dose can leave your dog vulnerable.
Yearly Heartworm Testing: Even with regular prevention, we recommend an annual heartworm test for all dogs. This simple blood test ensures that your dog is heartworm-free and allows us to quickly address any potential infections that may have occurred due to a missed dose or if your pet’s medication was not fully effective. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round prevention and annual testing to keep your pet as safe as possible.
Regular Fecal Exams: Fecal exams are a powerful diagnostic tool that allows us to microscopically examine your dog’s stool for the eggs of intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. We recommend at least one to two fecal exams per year as part of your dog’s wellness care. For puppies or dogs with gastrointestinal issues, more frequent testing may be necessary. Please bring a fresh stool sample with you to your dog’s annual visit so we can perform this important check.
Even indoor cats are at risk of parasites. Fleas can be carried inside on clothing, and mosquitoes can enter through open doors. Protecting your cat from these pests is a key part of responsible pet ownership.
Fleas: Fleas are a major nuisance for cats, causing irritation and transmitting tapeworms. A single flea can start an infestation in your home.
Ticks: While less common than in dogs, cats can get ticks, especially if they spend time outdoors. Ticks can transmit diseases and cause discomfort.
Mites: Ear mites are a very common and contagious parasite in cats, causing itchy, painful ears.
Heartworm: Cats can get heartworm, but the disease presents differently than in dogs. It can cause respiratory problems and, in some cases, sudden death. Monthly prevention is the best defense.
Intestinal Worms: Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms are all common in cats. They can be transmitted through fleas, infected prey (mice), or from the mother. They can cause weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Monthly Preventatives: A variety of safe, effective, and veterinarian-approved products are available to protect your cat. These often come in the form of a topical solution that is applied to the back of the neck. These products are designed to protect against fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms. It’s crucial to administer these preventatives consistently, every month, all year long, as heartworm and flea risks are not just seasonal.
Regular Fecal Exams: Regular fecal exams are a critical part of your cat’s preventative care. These checks allow us to screen for intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms, which can be transmitted through contaminated soil or prey. We recommend bringing a stool sample to your cat’s annual wellness exam so we can check for any hidden parasitic threats.
Deworming for Kittens: Kittens are often born with internal parasites passed down from their mother. For this reason, kittens typically require a series of deworming treatments in their first few months of life. We will establish a deworming schedule at their first wellness check to ensure they are parasite-free and starting life with a clean bill of health.
Get your pet the care they need without delay—our same-day appointments ensure prompt attention for urgent health concerns. We try to accommodate same-day appointments to the best of our ability. Please call ahead to ensure appointment availability.
All of our locations have their own online pharmacy to provide you with a convenient way to purchase the medications, food, and preventatives your pet needs, with the peace of mind that comes from knowing the products are authentic and vet-approved.
