By Shelby Gadsby, DVM
Have you ever wondered why your veterinarian goes on about parasite prevention at your pet’s visit? Not only are these creepy crawlies gross to look at, but they can have further health impacts on your pet and potentially yourself. Here we will discuss some of the more common parasites and potential diseases they may carry.
Fleas
Fleas are probably one of the more annoying parasites to deal with in your home as they can take months to eradicate. They can multiply in the environment rapidly and quickly lead to a full-blown infestation. They can also hitch a ride with our furry friends and lead to a condition called flea allergy dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to the saliva of the flea itself. It can cause intense itching and self-trauma, leading to hair loss and scabbing. They can also cause itchy bites on people. Prescription flea preventatives tend to be the most effective as they are newer drugs; we tend not see resistance in fleas with these products versus the older ones you can get over the counter.
Tapeworms
These intestinal worms can go hand-in-hand with fleas as ingesting the flea kick starts their lifecycle. These worms are long and flat, but usually we see them as rice grain like segments in the stool. Fortunately, we have several deworming options that are effective against these worms, but using a monthly flea preventative to prevent fleas in the first place is a more effective solution long-term. If you have an outdoor cat, they can still get tapeworms from hunting and we would encourage you to speak with your veterinarian to figure out if a routine deworming schedule is a good option for your pet.
Ticks
These bloodsuckers can be one of the more concerning parasites to deal with as they can carry numerous diseases, such as Lyme disease. These are collectively called “tick borne diseases” and can be difficult to diagnose and treat as the signs can come and go and often long courses of medications are needed. Ticks themselves can also cause an intense local reaction where they attach, potentially requiring additional medications. If you find a tick attached to your pet, it is best to leave it attached and call your veterinarian right away for removal. We understand wanting to get them removed ASAP, but if they are not removed completely, it can make the intense local reaction worse and potentially lead to other complications.
Heartworm
While once thought of as a rare disease in our area, it is unfortunately becoming more common. This is likely due to increased travel with our pets as well as an influx of rescue animals to our area. This parasite is spread by mosquito bites and can take many months to show up in testing. The treatment is long, very involved, expensive, and can also be very risky as some pets can develop severe allergic reactions during treatment. Ultimately prevention is best when it comes to this parasite.
Hopefully this gives you some insight into the importance of a monthly parasite preventative. If you have any questions about what might be best for your particular pet’s situation, we encourage you to discuss this with your veterinarian at your next visit.
