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ServicesLaser Light Therapy Other ServicesAdoptable Animals | Parasitesby Dr. Dawn Bookmyer, DVM My client was squirming and visibly disgusted as I removed an engorged tick from her 5 year old Beagle, Jake. Like most pet owners, she was not only repulsed, but concerned. How, she wanted to know, did Jake get a tick? Would it have any effect on his overall health? What other parasites might he have? These are all good questions. While parasites can live throughout the winter, the hot and humid months of summer are the ideal time for the breeding, feeding and hatching of parasites. Fleas are the most common external parasite that pet owners will face. And although flea bites can make for a very itchy and uncomfortable pet, they are more than just a nuisance. Fleas can cause anemia, severe skin trauma and infection from itching, and are involved in the transmission of tapeworms. I strongly urge my clients to take a proactive stance with fleas, because once there is a serious infestation, considerable time, work and expense can be involved in ridding your pet and home of these parasites. Because the prevention of fleas is far preferable to treating a severe infestation, I suggest that you talk to your veterinarian about one of the many highly effective prescription flea medications that are available. Most of these medications are topical, fast acting and need only be applied once a month. Some of these medications will also treat ticks, another common parasite. While ticks can be found virtually anywhere, they favor tall grass and brush. I recommend that pet owners check their pets thoroughly and brush them well after they have been outdoors. If a tick is found, it can be removed by grasping the tick with tweezers and pulling back slowly and steadily to ease out the tick’s mouthparts. Wash the bite area and your hands. The deer tick and American dog tick can carry Lyme disease, a bacterial disease whose symptoms may include sudden onset of severe pain and lameness, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. I encourage pet owners whose animals live in or are traveling to a tick infested area to ask their veterinarian about the Lyme disease vaccination that is now available. Mosquitoes, a familiar warm weather nuisance for humans, can transmit heartworm disease to our pets. Heartworm is a parasite that inhabits the lungs and heart of infected animals, and may eventually lead to heart failure and death. The prevalence of this deadly disease has increased steadily over the years and is now being seen in cats, as well as dogs. Heartworm is easily prevented, so please talk to your vet about prescription preventatives. Choices for cats and dogs include both monthly chewables or a monthly topical. Some heartworm medications have the added benefit of killing other parasites, including hookworm, roundworm, whipworm and ear mites. Discuss your preventative options with your veterinarian. Together, you and your vet can help your pet can have a more comfortable summer! |
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