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Parasite Protection
Your pet relies on you to protect them – don’t forget about their essential vaccinations
As a responsible and caring pet owner, you want your companion to have the best life possible. This often means finding them the most suitable diet, ensuring that they have plenty of exercise and feel happy and safe with you. But did you know that they also need protection from external critters that could make them ill?
Parasites can cause serious problems for your pet, particularly the most common types of worms and fleas. As their name suggests, both of these types of creature live off your pet’s body and have the potential to make them very ill.
Fleas
Fleas are microscopic insects that are famous for their ability to jump huge distances. This means they can spread incredibly quickly between animals, and when coupled with their rapid rate of reproduction it is easy to see why flea infestations are very hard to control. What’s more, fleas can also take up residence in your carpets, furnishings, bedding and clothes, causing problems for you and your family too.
Flea bites leave red, itchy and sometimes painful sores, and if they are carrying an infection from a previous host, there is the risk that you or your pet could contract this illness too. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that your pet receives regular preventative flea treatment.
At Eaton & Bunbury Vet Clinic, we recommend Bravecto for dogs and cats – highly efficient and safe methods of flea control.
However, different sizes and species of animal will require different dosages of treatment, so please speak to your vet before administering the medication to your pet.
Worms
Unlike fleas, worms live inside your pet rather than in their fur. However, they cause problems by feeding off the nutrients in your pet’s intestines, which can make your poor friend very ill.
There are several different types of parasitic worm, including roundworm, lungworm and heartworm, which can all be contracted in different ways. If you suspect that your pet might be suffering from a worm infestation, there are some key symptoms to look out for:
- Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
- Swollen or bloated stomach
- Weight loss despite an increased appetite
- Small wriggling objects in your pet’s faeces – these are the worms!
We recommend Proheart Heartworm Injections – these ensure that forgetting a monthly treatment doesn’t put your pet at risk. For more information about these injections, please speak to a member of the team next time you are in practice and they will be happy to advise you on what is best for your pet.
Members of our Healthy Pets Club have their pet’s parasite control posted to them when it is due. Why not sign up today and ensure your pet never misses a dose?
