Parasite Control
Parasites come in many forms when it comes to pets. They can have external parasites (on the outside of the body) and internal parasites (inside the body). During examinations with our doctors, we try to provide clients with the most education we can about the varied parasites that can cause health problems with their pets. Below we have highlighted some of the most common parasites with links to more information. Taking into consideration your pet's needs, we will recommend the best products for you and your pet.
External parasites:
Fleas - both dogs and cats can get fleas and the life cycle is very complicated. The adult fleas - the only part of the life cycle on the pet - make up only 5% of the total population. The other 95% includes the eggs, maggots, and cocoon stages that live in your house. Pets with fleas are usually very itchy, may lose hair, and may develop an allergy to the fleas. However, some pets can have fleas without their owners ever noticing. There are numerous products available from us to prevent flea infestations and treat an existing problem.
Ticks - normally ticks are only a problem in dogs. We can occasionally see them in cats but they usually groom them away. The main problem with ticks is that they can transmit a number of diseases including Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasmosis. We have a number of products available at the hospital to prevent tick bites and transmission of disease.
Ear mites - dogs and cats can both acquire ear mites and they are highly contagious between pets. If you notice a problem with your pet's ears, seek veterinary attention immediately because the issue may have been going on longer than you think.
External parasites:
Fleas - both dogs and cats can get fleas and the life cycle is very complicated. The adult fleas - the only part of the life cycle on the pet - make up only 5% of the total population. The other 95% includes the eggs, maggots, and cocoon stages that live in your house. Pets with fleas are usually very itchy, may lose hair, and may develop an allergy to the fleas. However, some pets can have fleas without their owners ever noticing. There are numerous products available from us to prevent flea infestations and treat an existing problem.
Ticks - normally ticks are only a problem in dogs. We can occasionally see them in cats but they usually groom them away. The main problem with ticks is that they can transmit a number of diseases including Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasmosis. We have a number of products available at the hospital to prevent tick bites and transmission of disease.
Ear mites - dogs and cats can both acquire ear mites and they are highly contagious between pets. If you notice a problem with your pet's ears, seek veterinary attention immediately because the issue may have been going on longer than you think.
Internal parasites:
Roundworms and hookworms - these worms are very common in dogs and cats. Rounds and hooks most often occur in puppies and kittens because they get the worms from their mothers. However, pets who frequent contaminated environments (where pets defecate) or hunt small rodents can also be infected. These are among the most common parasites that we see, but they are able to be transmitted to humans, so for the safety of your pet as well as the rest of your family it is important to treat and prevent these parasites as soon as possible. Rarely, owners may see what looks like spaghetti in their pet's stool, but most often these worms are found under microscopic exam.
Whipworms - these worms are usually picked up by dogs from contaminated areas where dogs defecate. Whips can cause watery diarrhea or blood in the stool. These are found under microscopic exam.
Tapeworms - these worms are usually acquired by dogs and cats that accidentally ingest fleas or hunt rodents. Most commonly, owners will see what look like grains of rice either on the rear end of their pet or in their pet's stool, sometimes these segments can still be moving. Flea control is an important first step to controlling tapeworms, but dewormings made specifically for tapeworms are recommended as well as some species of tapeworms can be transmitted to humans.
Coccidia - these are parasites that are known as protozoa. They cause weight loss, dehydration, diarrhea, and sometimes blood in the stool. They are more common in young animals, but adults can be affected too. They are only able to be found under microscopic exam.
Giardia - these are also protozoa and they can cause a pet to have diarrhea that is often yellow in color. Giardia leads to poor absorption of nutrients and abdominal pain.They are only able to be found under microscopic exam as well.
Roundworms and hookworms - these worms are very common in dogs and cats. Rounds and hooks most often occur in puppies and kittens because they get the worms from their mothers. However, pets who frequent contaminated environments (where pets defecate) or hunt small rodents can also be infected. These are among the most common parasites that we see, but they are able to be transmitted to humans, so for the safety of your pet as well as the rest of your family it is important to treat and prevent these parasites as soon as possible. Rarely, owners may see what looks like spaghetti in their pet's stool, but most often these worms are found under microscopic exam.
Whipworms - these worms are usually picked up by dogs from contaminated areas where dogs defecate. Whips can cause watery diarrhea or blood in the stool. These are found under microscopic exam.
Tapeworms - these worms are usually acquired by dogs and cats that accidentally ingest fleas or hunt rodents. Most commonly, owners will see what look like grains of rice either on the rear end of their pet or in their pet's stool, sometimes these segments can still be moving. Flea control is an important first step to controlling tapeworms, but dewormings made specifically for tapeworms are recommended as well as some species of tapeworms can be transmitted to humans.
Coccidia - these are parasites that are known as protozoa. They cause weight loss, dehydration, diarrhea, and sometimes blood in the stool. They are more common in young animals, but adults can be affected too. They are only able to be found under microscopic exam.
Giardia - these are also protozoa and they can cause a pet to have diarrhea that is often yellow in color. Giardia leads to poor absorption of nutrients and abdominal pain.They are only able to be found under microscopic exam as well.