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Parasite Control
Parasite Control- Preventative Options
Parasite prevention is an integral part of your pet’s wellbeing. Flea, worms and ticks are the most common types of parasites to effect dogs and cats. They can cause your pet suffering and minor irritation to severe illness. Some types of parasites can be transferred from pets to people causing diseases. Even healthy looking animals can carry parasites.
Our pets can pick up parasites in a variety of places, whether they go outside or not. Fleas and ticks can live outside all year round but are aplenty from spring to autumn and can be brought in to the home by other animals.
As parasites can be a year round issue, in order to keep your pet as healthy as possible we recommend regular flea and tick control and regular worming. We offer a variety of prescription products for your pet, from monthly to three monthly treatments. To discuss which option would be best for your pet, please call your local Lanes Vets practice for an appointment.
At Lanes Vets you can receive year-round parasite protection through our VIP Pet Health Plans. The Pet Health Plans spread the cost of preventative care by allowing you to pay by monthly direct debit and incorporates savings at the same time. Please see the Pet Health Plans page or call to speak to one of the team for more details.
Types of Parasites
Fleas
Can be seen all year round and they survive in warm environments such as your pet’s fur, your furniture and outside in the warmer months.
They can be passed on to other animals.
They can pass on tapeworm, by carrying their eggs.
Signs that your pet may be suffering from fleas include itching, scratching, licking. Tiny black/brown specks of flea dirt can been seen in the coat and adult fleas in the fur.
Ticks
Are often seen as an engorged grey nodule attached to your pet’s skin.
Ticks are predominantly acquired on moorland and woodland areas.
Tick bites can cause allergic reactions or infection at the site of the bite.
They can transmit infectious diseases via their saliva, such as Lyme’s Disease, Babesia and Ehrlichiosis.
Worms
There are several types of worms that can affect dogs and cats, including:
Roundworms
Toxocara Canis – are picked up by puppies via their mother’s placenta and milk. They live in the intestine and if left untreated can cause stunted growth, a pot belly and diarrhoea.
- Adult dogs can ingest eggs from other dogs’ faeces.
- If ingested by humans, they can cause blindness and organ damage. This is why it is recommended to regularly worm puppies and adult dogs.
Toxocara Cati -are picked up by kittens via their mother’s placenta and milk. As with puppies if left untreated can cause stunted growth, a pot belly and diarrhoea.
They can be picked up when cats hunt birds and rodents.
Tapeworm
Use fleas as an intermediate host during its life cycle and its presence can be indicative of a flea infestation.
Some tapeworms can infect livestock and humans, therefore it is important to worm pets regularly to help prevent disease in humans.
Lungworm
Lungworms are potentially deadly parasites carried by foxes, slugs and snails.
It is the first parasite to be an endemic in the UK.
It’s larvae migrate through the lungs and pulmonary vasculature resulting in clinical signs such as, coughing and anaemia.
