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Fleas & Ticks / Heartworms

There are all sorts of nasty parasites that would love nothing more than to use the inside and the outside of your dog as a host. Parasites are not only a danger to your pet, but are also a danger to your family and your home.

Five Tips to Keep Your Dog Healthy and Your Home Pest-Free

1. Keep your dog primarily indoors, except for supervised play outside. Outdoor dogs can be exposed to all sorts of nasty parasites and insects when left for long hours in the yard.
2. Never miss a month of flea and tick prevention for your dogs. Even in the winter months, dogs can bring in fleas and ticks. Make sure to use a trusted brand recommended by your vet; cheap knockoff brands can often cause painful and potentially harmful reactions.
3. Invest in heartworm prevention. Heartworm disease is caused by a bite from an infected mosquito, and is fatal if left untreated. Treatment is expensive and potentially fatal for your dog. Do not take the risk: keep your dog on a trusted brand of preventative year-round. Ask your vet for a prescription.
4. Do not let your dog eat poop! This unappealing habit is an easy way for your dog to pick up internal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms. If you see any worms in your dog’s stool, get him to your vet immediately for a de-worming.
5. Take your dog once or (twice a year for older dogs) for a checkup and routine de-worming. Your vet will also test your dog for heartworms; as long as you have been keeping him up-to-date on preventatives, the test should be negative.

Parasites Suck
Parasites can be detrimental to the health and well-being of your pets and the rest of your family. Prevention is the best solution to avoiding the stress and inconvenience of an infestation, because what starts as a flea or two on your dog can quickly turn into a house full of fleas that are difficult to eliminate.

Be Flexible!
If you suspect that your dog has a parasite problem despite being on preventatives, you may need to switch brands or dosages. Not all dogs tolerate the same types of preventatives in the same way.

If your dog has an adverse reaction to a preventative, talk to your vet about alternative treatment options.

 

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