Parasites are a common problem for pets. The good news is that parasites are preventable with help from your veterinarian. If you have a dog or cat and live in or around Davis, CA, contact our team at Animal Wellness Center.
Fleas
You do not need to be a veterinarian to see that your pet has fleas. Fleas get everywhere, including on you. Fleas and flea eggs are often found outdoors or on other pets. If your cat or dog is playing with an animal that is infested with fleas, they can easily find their way onto your pet. Spot-on or chewable preventatives from our vet will kill the fleas if they bite your pet. Regular vacuuming kills adult and juvenile fleas as well.
Ticks
The same preventative medications from your vet also kill ticks. How do ticks affect dogs and cats? Ticks not only suck blood to the point of making a pet anemic, but they can also pass on diseases like Lyme disease, dog tick fever, canine ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks can also bite humans and pass diseases to you. Ticks prefer to live in places with plenty of long plants.
Roundworms
This is one of the most common types of worms that pets suffer from. They are especially common in puppies and kittens since the mother can pass worms to their babies. Regular deworming of puppies and kittens can successfully eliminate them. Pets should have a stool sample checked every year by a veterinarian for the presence of roundworms. Many preventative medications for heartworms also kill roundworms.
Heartworms
Heartworms are one of the most dangerous parasites that a dog can get. Cats can also get heartworms, but they are rarely fatal. Still, they can make your cat very sick. Common signs of heartworms in dogs are a persistent cough and being more sluggish than usual. As the heartworms grow and clog the heart and surrounding blood vessels, the dog gets worse and eventually dies. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquito bites. Heartworms can be killed and prevented by monthly medication that is available at our animal hospital.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are a common intestinal parasite in pets. They are often seen in pets that have, or recently had fleas. This is because fleas transmit tapeworms. Pets with fleas often swallow fleas when they groom themselves. Once an infected flea is swallowed, the pet will develop tapeworms. Symptoms of tapeworms include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and being more tired than usual. You may also see worms resembling grains of rice in your pet’s stool.
Get Quality Parasite Prevention in Davis, CA
If you have questions about how to prevent pet parasites and live in the Davis area, our team at Animal Wellness Center is here to help. As with most medical issues, preventing a parasite infestation is easier than treating one. Our veterinarian will recommend the appropriate products to keep your furry friend protected from these pests. Call our team today at (530) 756-7387 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dailey.