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Parasite Prevention and Control

There was a time when parasites like fleas, ticks, and roundworms were considered mostly a nuisance. Now, however, we know that parasites can cause serious illness and even death in pets. For example, ticks can transmit infections like Lyme disease, and fleas can transmit tapeworms and Bartonella – the bacteria that causes what is commonly known as “cat-scratch fever” in humans. This bacteria is actually transmitted to the cat by a flea which is the actual carrier of the bacteria, the cat gets the bacteria when it ingests a flea while grooming then passes it on to a human through the broken skin of a scratch. Another type of parasite, called a heartworm, is transmitted by mosquitoes. Heartworms live in your pet’s lungs and heart, causing damage to these organs, and sometimes even death. Intestinal parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, also threaten pets and are even transmissible to humans.

You may not always be able to tell if your pet has parasites. Fleas can hide under your pet’s fur, and some ticks are very tiny (only the size of a pinhead), so they are very difficult to find. Intestinal parasites like roundworms can cause diarrhea and other problems, but many infected pets don’t show any signs of illness at all.

We recommend these tests be done whenever you bring a new pet into your home, and then annually to confirm that your pet has not inadvertently contracted one or more of the parasites. During the annual wellness examine your pet is checked for evidence of fleas, ticks, and other external parasites, our expert staff can recommend medications to help control fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites. Preventing parasites in your pet is a year round process here in Texas, so make sure to give the medication as directed all year, as it also helps protect children and other family members from contracting these parasites.

Parasites are not just a nuisance, they can carry serious diseases that affect your pet’s overall health and longevity. Let us help you protect your pet. Call today to find out how!