This quarter (Nov-Jan) we are focusing on parasite control in our furry friends. Anyone that has been in to the clinic for vaccinations would know we are currently offering free worming to all pets that present for vaccination during this time.
But what about the other parasites??
It is FINALLY starting to warm up, and this means more outdoor activities for you and the furkids – more time outside, visits to parks, maybe even some time away at the coast. So, we thought it would be the perfect time to remind everyone about the importance of good parasite prevention in your animals, in particular fleas, ticks and heartworm disease.
Fleas:
Fleas thrive in moist, humid environments, which is why they are a much bigger problem in the summer months. Not only do fleas cause itching and discomfort in your pet, they can also lead to allergies, severe skin issues, anaemia and transmission of other parasites.
A single flea can lay up to 40-50 eggs per day, and up to 2000 eggs during their lifespan, infesting your home and your dogs environment! So rather than try and manage the issues caused by fleas we recommend that you have your pets on regular flea prevention. We have a number of options for flea prevention, so why not come in and talk to our experienced staff about the best option for your pet. If you do find yourself in the situation of trying to manage a flea issue in your household don’t panic, our highly trained staff can advise you on how to get rid of the fleas and prevent them from coming back
Tick prevention:
There are a number of ticks in Australia, the most dangerous of all being the paralysis tick, which pose a significant threat to our beloved pets. Paralysis ticks are found along the east coast of Australia and are extremely dangerous to pets. The bite of a single tick having the potential to cause severe symptoms or even kill! After a tick attaches to an animal and begins feeding on its blood, it starts to produce a potent toxin that affects the animals central nervous system causing progressive paralysis and possible death.
To help prevent ticks there are a number of things you can do, one of which is having them on a good tick prevention product. However, even if on prevention we recommend you check your pet daily, as it takes time for the preventatives to kill the tick. A thorough tick search involves working your fingers deep into your dogs coat to check all parts of their skin, including in skin folds, their gums, between the toes, in their ears, and around their anus and vulva. Another good idea is to avoid habitats that ticks thrive in, like scrubby or bush areas.
Heartworm:
Heartworm is a deadly disease that is spread by mosquitoes. If infected, pets often do not show signs of disease for months or even years. Sadly by the time symptoms are noticed often irreparable damage has already been done. Prevention these days is very easy and cost effective and our vets are more than happy to discuss heartworm prevention options with you.
