FAQs On Parasite Prevention

Parasite prevention is an essential component of proper pet care. We cannot overstate the importance of keeping your pet on a regular preventative care plan! Simply providing Fido and Fluffy their parasite prevention products on time can keep them safe from a plethora of nasty parasites. Unfortunately, as the environment changes, many parasites are going to become more abundant. Some are staying active for extended periods, while others are moving to previously uninhabitable locations. This blog features a local Burlington, ON veterinarian discussing some crucial parasite prevention ideas.

What Else Can I Do to Keep Parasites Away from My Pet?

Good hygiene measures will go a long way in this situation. Much of this comprises basic common sense measures and cleaning procedures.

• Wash your hands after touching your pet’s belongings, cleaning up spills, or dealing with Fluffy’s litterbox. (Ideally, you should always wash your hands after touching your pet, but this is easy to miss or forget.)
• Scoop your cat’s litterbox daily and replace litter regularly.
• Vacuuming on a regular basis is also beneficial, particularly for flea prevention. In general, we recommend vacuuming high-traffic areas on a frequent basis, followed by more thorough weekly cleanings. 

You might want to consider a robot vacuum, but we wouldn’t recommend running it when no one is home. Washing your pet’s bedding and toys on a regular basis is also crucial. If feasible, use a hot cycle and unscented detergent. However, you should double-check the label.

• Also, avoid giving your pet raw food.

It’s worth remembering that there are other things you can do on your land. Keeping your yard mowed and clearing trash, such as fallen branches, will help deter fleas and ticks, which prefer tall grass and nooks and crannies to hide in.

What Are The Most Common Parasites Affecting Pets?

This is perhaps not surprising: fleas and ticks are at the top of the list, followed by some nasty worms.

Fleas 

This little, nasty bug belongs to the Siphonaptera family, which is essentially a clan of flightless, blood-sucking jerks.

Some not-so-fun facts about fleas:

• They can jump 150 times their own height.
• They have needles for teeth.
• They thrive in warm weather. If you live in the north, you will have some relief in the winter. Warmer climates must cope all year round. Fleas can survive winter in colder climates by locating a host or warm location.
• Fleas are drawn to different things, including movement, body heat, and vibrations. They can even detect CO2 levels. They are not drawn to fragrances, though.
• Fleas may live in any climate or environment.
• Flea infections take three months to remove. That’s due to the life cycle. Fleas frequently find their way into carpets, which makes this tough. They lay eggs on pets. However, the eggs frequently land on the carpet.
• A female flea can lay up to 2000 eggs in just three months. 
• Severe infestations can cause anemia in smaller animals.
• Fleas are significantly more deadly than you may think. They can transmit diseases including the plague, typhus, and cat scratch fever, as well as parasites like tapeworms.

Ticks

Ticks have sadly experienced a population surge in recent years. We also have some not-so-fun facts about them:

• Ticks are commonly referred to as insects, which is strictly incorrect. They are arachnids, like spiders and scorpions.
• They generally hibernate during the winter, when food is scarce.
• A single tick can lay as many as 20,000 eggs.
• They can’t jump and prefer to lurk in tall grasses, waiting for innocent victims to pass by.
• Ticks come in 850 different varieties. None of them are really appealing to us. There are roughly 200 here in the United States.
• They will feed on almost everything moving, including mammals, birds, people, pets, and even bugs.
• Ticks dislike sunlight. This may work in your favor. A three-foot gravel walk surrounding your home can help deter them.
• The most prevalent ticks in North America are the American Dog Tick, Lone Star Tick, Blacklegged Tick (also known as the Deer Tick), Brown Dog Tick, and Winter Tick.

Ticks can spread a variety of diseases to both humans and animals. The most well-known case is Lyme Disease. Others include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, and Powassan Virus Disease. For further information, ask your Burlington, ON veterinarian.

Heartworms

Heartworms, as the name implies, infest dogs’ hearts, as well as their lungs and other vital organs. Though they are minuscule at the time of transition, they grow to full adult size in around six months. 

Heartworms are carried by mosquitoes, thus pets can become infested anywhere there are mosquitoes, including their own beds. Another reason why heartworms are so alarming is that they are difficult to treat. Fido may need to be kenneled for a long time, and may even need surgery. Left untreated, infestations are often fatal.

Other Parasites

Heartworms aren’t the only worms that can infest your beloved pet. There are many others.

Here are a few of the most common: 

• Roundworms
• Hookworms
• Coccidia
• Giardia
• Tapeworms
• Whipworms
• Threadworms

What Are the Signs of a Parasite in Your Pet?

That one ultimately depends on the parasite. Itching is typically the first sign of an external parasite. Flea filth is another indicator of flea infestation. You might also notice your pet’s skin turning red or inflamed. Skin discoloration, restlessness, and hair loss are among the other indications. You may also be able to see the parasites.

Internal parasites create many problems. Some things to look for there include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, bloating, fur loss, blood in stool, coughing, weakness, lethargy, and respiratory issues.

When Should I Start My Pet On Parasite Control?

We generally recommend that puppies be dewormed by the time they are 8 weeks. Little Fido will need to stay on parasite prevention for the rest of his life. As for cats, kittens should be dewormed at about 4 weeks, and again every month until they are about six months old. fluffy will still need parasite control after that. Ask your Burlington, ON vet to recommend a dosage schedule.

What Type Of Parasite Control Is Best For My Pet?

There are quite a few different products available. You can opt for chews, topical drops, or even shots in some cases. With flea and tick prevention, you can also look at things like shampoos and collars. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to personal preference. Talk to your vet about the different options, and find out what is going to work best for you and your beloved pet.

Make An Appointment At Our Burlington, ON Pet Clinic

Do you need a great vet in the area? Does your pet need vaccinations or parasite control? Please feel free to contact us, your Burlington, ON pet clinic, anytime. We are dedicated to offering top-notch care.