Parasite Prevention

Pet parasites come in all shapes and sizes, from fleas and ticks that we can see, to Coccidia and Giardia that we can’t. Parasites can be a very serious threat to your pet’s health as well as your family’s health. Ticks aren’t just a nuisance; they can cause serious—and sometimes deadly—diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and tick paralysis. Fleas can transmit tapeworms and Bartonella – the bacteria that causes “cat-scratch fever” in humans. 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.

How Do I Know If My Pet Has Parasites?

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. A stool sample needs to be examined microscopically to get a diagnosis.

Our expert veterinary staff can recommend medications to help control fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites.

Schedule An Appointment Today

Prevention is always the best treatment! We carry many different types of flea, tick and heartworm preventive and your Hamilton Animal Care veterinarian can help you choose which one is right for your pet. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 610-395-0707 .