Parasite in the Belleville and surrounding area that are our primary concerns are fleas, ticks, intestinal parasite and heartworm.
A great resource for information on parasitic and transmissible diseases is The Worms and Germs blog by Dr. Scott Weese
Parasite – Fleas
At Loyalist Veterinary Hospital, we carry a variety of oral and topical products. Specifically, we carry Bravecto for dogs and cats, and Nexgard for puppies and adult dogs. The flea lifecycle is 3 months long, so it is very important to continue treatments to resolve infestations and to treat all pets in the home. We do offer reduced price flea examinations to get your pet weighed and assessed for the best product.
Intestinal Parasite
Many puppies and kittens are actually born with worms passed from their mothers, therefore we encourage checking a fecal sample on every new furry addition and monthly deworming until at least 6 months of age. There are many different types of intestinal parasites including roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. Some of these worms can affect your pet’s wellbeing but also can transfer to you and your family. Talk to your veterinarian about what preventative product and deworming schedule is right for your pet.
Ticks
This area in Ontario is endemic for Lyme disease: that means the risk of contracting lyme disease is HIGH. We have been seeing more ticks in the past few years than ever before. Ticks are not only a nuisance but can also pass diseases, including Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis. We recommend learning what ticks look like and checking over your animal after coming from outside. As well, tick preventative products when the temperature is over 0 Celcius is a must! If you think you have found an engorged tick on your pet, please call us and we can help you remove it.
Heartworm
Heartworm (Dirofilaria Immitis) is a parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Infected dogs can develop adult worms that will migrate to the vasculature of the heart and dangerously disturb blood flow, which can be fatal if not treated in time. Some dogs will not show any clinical signs, while others may have coughing, lethargy, weight loss, swollen abdomen and sudden death. Although less common, cats can also be susceptible to heartworms and signs include difficulty breathing, coughing, vomiting and decreased appetite.
Prevention is key and is safe, affordable and effective. Most heartworm medications also protect against roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, ear mites and fleas. For safety reasons, pets that have been potentially exposed, should have their blood tested prior to starting the medication. Please consult your veterinarian at LVH to determine the best regimen for prevention for your pet!