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There is nothing pleasant about parasites. Whether they end up on the inside or outside of your pet’s body, they are all there for the same reason. They need a living host to survive and reproduce. Parasites cause significant health issues and discomfort for your dog or cat. Now that summer is almost here in Stillwater, Minnesota and throughout the Midwest it is a good time to learn about parasites and prevention. If you have cabins in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin your pet is also at risk for parasitic disease.
Ectoparasites: External Pests You Can Usually See
Ectoparasites are parasites that live outside of the body including Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, mites (mange) and lice. These pests can cause everything from itchiness and annoyance, to the spread of serious diseases including tick borne illnesses such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, Anaplasma and Erylichia as well as, heartworm disease from infected mosquitos. Fleas may cause a severe reaction known as flea bite dermatitis in animals who are infested as well as anemia.
Ectoparasites were difficult to control up until about 15 years ago. It is now possible to prevent parasites from attacking your pet all year long with topical applications, oral medication, or other types of preventive products. We encourage you to shop in our online store or to ask your veterinarian for the best recommendation for your pet.
Environmental Parasite Control
To discourage ectoparasites from getting to your pet:
- Keep your grass cut short and minimize piles of leaves and clippings.
- Clean dog feces from your yard daily.
- Bathe your pet often during the warmer months.
- Wash your pet’s bedding weekly with hot water.
- Keep carpets and upholstered furniture vacuumed.
Internal Parasites
Hookworm, tapeworm, roundworm, and whipworms are some of the most common types of internal parasites found in companion animals. Puppies and kittens can acquire these worms from their mother or rooting in contaminated soil. An aggressive deworming protocol may be recommended until a puppy or kitten is 16 weeks of age.
Heartworm is a highly destructive parasite that your pet can pick up form a single mosquito bite. These parasites can reproduce many times inside of your pet’s heart chambers and eventually spread to the lungs. Heartworm disease is more common in dogs but may also affect cats. Heartworm disease treatment for dogs is complicated and expensive. No medication currently exists to eliminate heartworm in cats. It is simply not a chance worth taking when preventive medication is safe, affordable and readily available
Parasite Control a Part of Every Preventive Care Exam
At Rivertown we ask about your pet’s lifestyle and protection from parasites each time you are here for a check-up. Do not hesitate to ask us additional questions about this important health issue. You can download our free app to schedule an appointment or keep up with your pet’s health.
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