As the weather warms up, we start to see more parasite problems for all sorts of pets.
Here are some of the more common parasites we come across, as well as some information on the problems they cause and how to get rid of them.
Fleas
Fleas are usually relatively easy to spot, and if not, your pet will let you know! Look out for these clues:
- Your pet might constantly be scratching or chewing and become quite irritable. In some cases pets can get flea bite hypersensitivity and become extremely itchy from just a few fleas.
- You might notice red, sore-looking bumps or blisters on your pet’s skin.
- If you look close enough, you might see ‘flea dirt’ – this is a flea waste product that looks like tiny little flecks of pepper.
- Sometimes, you can even see the fleas moving around themselves – tiny little brown or black wingless insects, with an incredible jump!
Flea bites are not only uncomfortable and frustrating for your pets, but they can also lead to serious wound infections, anaemia, tapeworms, and dermatitis.
Moving swiftly is the key to flea treatment! You will need to treat:
- Every pet in your household
- Pet bedding
- Carpet
- Furniture
- Any other soft furnishings a flea or its eggs might be hiding on
In clinic, we offer a wide range of products and tools to treat your pet for fleas, and we can offer some very helpful tips for dealing with an outbreak. Give us a call if you have any questions, or would like to book an appointment.
Ticks
Ticks can be found in every state of Australia. There are many different species of ticks, and some pose a significant threat to the wellbeing of our pets. The most common species that affect our pets are the paralysis tick, the bush tick, the cattle tick, and the brown dog tick.
- Paralysis ticks are particularly dangerous, as they deliver a neurotoxin into our pet’s bloodstream as they feed, leading to severe paralysis of the muscles – including the heart and muscles used for breathing. Tick paralysis can be fatal.
- Brown dog ticks are not deadly themselves but can cause dermatitis and anaemia, as well as carry some nasty diseases, including Ehrlichiosis, which has only recently been discovered in more northern parts of Australia, and is spreading to some southern parts.
Keeping your dog protected year-round from ticks is key – we recommend tick prevention in the form of Simparica, Bravecto or Nexguard. Please have a chat with one of our friendly team about which option would be best for you and your pet.
It is also important that you regularly check your dog for ticks after being outside – run your fingers through their coats to feel for any unusual lumps on their skin. Be sure to check over your pets’ entire body, especially:
- Around their head and ears
- Underneath their collar
- Inside their ears
- In their mouths
- Under their tail
- Between their toes
Ticks are sneaky and can easily latch on to many different areas on your pet.
If you come across a tick, be sure to give us a call to organise tick removal and treatment for tick paralysis or blood diseases as soon as possible – it is vital to act quickly and we will ensure to remove all of the tick – even a small part leftover can continue to cause problems for your furry friend.
Mosquitoes
Dogs, cats, rodents. and birds make for easy targets and tasty snacks for mosquitoes. While the mosquito bite itself is more annoying than threatening, mosquitoes can spread heartworm and other potentially fatal parasites to your pets.
We recommend making sure there is no stagnant or still water around the backyard – this is where mosquito larvae grow. If possible, bring your pets indoors between dusk and dawn, or make sure they have a safe, meshed area to sleep in. Pet safe mosquito and insect repellents are available that may be used. Speak to us if you have any concerns about mozzies in your area.
Heartworm
Heartworms are parasites that are able to live inside the arteries of the lung and chambers of a pet’s heart and feed on surrounding blood. The disease is spread between pets via mosquitoes. Heartworm can result in respiratory (breathing) failure, heart failure and severe damage to other organs.
We recommend use of the pro-heart injection for disease prevention. This will require injections at the clinic at 3 months, 6 months 15 months and then annually for the rest of your dog’s life. There are many products on the market to protect against heartworm. The injection is one of the most effective methods of prevention and the benefit is, there is nothing for you to remember! We will send you a reminder when your pet is due and, once they are fully grown, it is only needed once a year!
Intestinal worms
Many different worms can affect our pets! Some species are not exclusive to cats and dogs, but rodents, birds, reptiles and even humans too. Some more common worms we see are:
- Roundworm
- Hookworm
- Tapeworm
- Whipworm
These worms can be transmitted in several ways, including:
- Coming into contact with (or eating) soil, grass, or faeces containing larvae or eggs
- Coming into direct contact with an infected animal
- Transmitted in-utero or through milk fed to babies
- Via fleas
Symptoms associated with worm infestations can include:
- Diarrhoea
- Bloody stools
- Anaemia
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Visible worms – either in stools or around the anus
Prevention is the best cure – by administering regular preventatives which are available in various forms and combinations with other parasite control products. Ask our team for advice on the best preventative for your pet. If your pet is unwell, please book a consultation.