Parasite Control
Heartworm Prevention
Take heartworm prevention seriously – because treating it is a lot harder than preventing it
Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a parasite that infects dogs (and rarely cats). The disease is spread from one dog to another by mosquitoes, therefore your new pup does not have to come into direct contact with another dog for the infection to occur.
Once infected adult worms live in the dog’s heart and lungs and cause serious disease. Dogs can die even with light infestations. Although we can treat this disease, prevention is much better than cure. We recommend your pup start on heartworm prevention at 12 weeks of age with a heartworm injection. The injection is repeated at 6 months, then 15 months then yearly from then on.
Monthly heartworm prevention tablets or topspot formulations are an alternative to the injection.
If your dog is 6 months or older we recommend a blood test to check for heartworm before starting on preventative tablets or injection.
Puppy Worming
Intestinal worms can make your puppy very sick, but can also be easily prevented and controlled. Dogs are known to contract infestations of roundworm, whipworm, hookworm and tapeworm. These can all lead to illness and unhappiness for your pet. These parasites can be controlled with regular treatment using recommended deworming medications.
It’s worth knowing that:
- Pups can be infected with round and hook worm larva whilst in the mother’s womb or via the milk.
- Hookworms can kill young pups by blood loss.
- Roundworms can cause vomiting, coughing, blockages in the intestines and a potbelly.
- Whipworms can cause severe abdominal pain, fever and diarrhoea.
- Flea tapeworms are carried by fleas and cause an itchy bottom, while in the country areas of Australia Hydatid tapeworm is a threat to human health.
- Puppies should also receive regular preventative medication against the very serious and potentially fatal heartworm which can be contracted from mosquitoes and other pets.
If you and your children
- Hookworm larvae can cause skin irritation.
- Roundworm larva can (rarely) infect children and migrate to the eye, brain or other organs.
- HYDATID (not flea) tapeworms are a great danger to humans causing cysts throughout the body.
The best worming schedule is:
- 2-12 weeks: worm every 2 weeks
- 3-6 months: worm every month
- 6+ months: worm every 3 months
Tick Control
Do you know what a tick is? What they look like or how they can affect your dog?
Read the article below to understand ticks a little better and find out how to best prevent ticks affecting your pet.
Flea Control
Fleas are a year round problem for dogs and cats, and can also become a burden in the home Like all parasites, fleas need another animal to live off. For the common household flea, dogs and cats are its preferred host. Some pets react to being bitten by developing an allergic reaction that causes them to become intensely itchy, making them miserable and can lead to hair loss and skin infections. Fleas develop in the animals environment, which can inlcude your home, then when mature move to the pet.
Summer fleas at their worst
Fleas are found throughout Australia and are a year-round problem in many areas of the country. However summer is the time when fleas are at their worst.
Like all parasites, fleas need another animal to live off. For the common household flea, dogs and cats are its preferred host. Some pets react to being bitten by developing an allergic reaction that causes them to become intensely itchy, making them miserable and can lead to hair loss and skin infections.
The fleas that you can see in their coat are usually the tip of the iceberg when it comes to problems associated with this parasite. That is because the adult stage of the parasite, makes up just 5% of the total population of fleas. The other 95% of the flea population is made up of flea eggs and other developing stages. These immature parasites are usually well hidden throughout carpeting, bedding, furniture, and other areas of your household.
The importance of prevention
The best way to protect your pet from fleas is prevention. By using safe and effective products you can be sure that you’ve done all you can to protect your pet from the threat of these tiny troublemakers.
