Common parasitic threats to your pet and how to prevent their spread

One of the best things you can do for your pets is to get them into a healthy routine of parasite prevention. A preventive approach involves both parasite control and testing at Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming in Jacksonville, Florida. Additionally, our team can accurately and promptly detect the presence of parasites as a means of swiftly embarking on effective treatment. 

External and internal parasites are associated with a wide range of health problems that can affect the quality of the longevity of your pet’s life. However, these distressing consequences can be avoided with proactive and consistent care. 

External parasites

Fleas, ticks, and ear and mange mites can produce seriously itchy skin, sores, rashes, hair loss, secondary infections, and even anemia. Additionally, they can carry disease that affects the health of both pets and the human members of your household. For instance, certain ticks spread diseases like Lyme to animals and people alike.

Our veterinarians at Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming can recommend the appropriate preventive treatment for your pet. Before applying any products, it is important to read and understand the directions thoroughly. Never give a product labeled only for dogs to cats, no matter their size, and ensure that you give your pet the correct dose based on their weight. For instance, giving a product whose dosage is designed for a larger dog to a smaller one could be harmful. 

Also, we can advise on appropriate steps for pets who have been prescribed other medications or who are pregnant, nursing, or very young or old. Some meds do not “get along well” with flea and tick prevention products, resulting in either the product not being as effective as it should be or in undesirable side effects and even potential toxicity. We can assure the product is effective and safe for each pet in your family.

Internal parasites

Various worms, mosquitoes, and single-celled parasites can cause everything from diarrhea and intestinal damage to life-threatening anemia, malnutrition, lung disease, and heart failure. Some of these threats are highly contagious and zoonotic or transmissible within both the pet and human populations. Several dewormers are available to protect your pet from tapeworm infections. Since dogs and cats can become sick when eating infected fleas or lice, flea prevention and other lifestyle and control precautions can protect your pet from the effects of tapeworms. Additionally, some heartworm preventives are also effective at containing worm infestations of the intestines. 

It is generally recommended that pets be given a year-round heartworm preventive. These preventives come in many forms. We can advise on the best one for your pet, which may include monthly chewables, injectable meds that are administered every six to 12 months, and topical products. In addition, we recommend heartworm testing at least once each year. It is essential to know that preventives do not kill heartworms. So, they will not eradicate the infection if mature heartworms are already present. For this reason, tests are largely advised at the start of preventive schedules to evaluate a pet’s heartworm “status.” 

Our team can also advise on ways to stem the spread of other parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, and giardia. Call 904-720-4272 today to schedule an appointment at our Jacksonville location. Let’s get your furry family members into a healthy parasite prevention routine! 

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