Parasites
Intestinal Worms
Intestinal worms are common and can cause a range of health issues in dogs and cats, including gastrointestinal problems, weight loss, and failure to thrive. Some species can make them very sick. Common internal parasites include roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm, each presenting unique symptoms and risks to your pet’s health. Many of these worms are also zoonotic – meaning they can be transmitted to people, causing health issues in us. This can be very serious, particularly in children.
In a local study, 42.9% of Victorian dog parks were contaminated with worm eggs! Internal parasites are transmitted via contact with infected environments or by consuming contaminated food and prey species such as rats/mice.
Most parasites are not visible within your pet’s faeces. The eggs are microscopic in size, and shedding of adult worms or visible segments of tapeworm can be rare and sporadic. Do not rely on checking stools to determine if your pet has intestinal worms. Special microscopic faecal tests need to be performed to diagnose an infection if we suspect it is present.
Regular deworming treatments are a key part of your pet’s preventative care. We recommend a specific brand which has a small tablet size, covered in a tasty, real liver flavoured coating to make dosing easy. The tablet treats all the key intestinal worm parasites with high efficacy so you know that it is effective at killing any worms which may be present. Speak to us for more information.
Fleas
Fleas are a very common parasite in dogs and cats. They are small, fast, hard to find, and can lay an astonishing number of eggs per day which then infect your pet’s environment – often your house!
Fleas can cause discomfort and health issues like allergic reactions, skin infections, and the transmission of tapeworm. Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments, but will still replicate year-round, especially as our pets often live in our homes with more consistent temperatures.
Prevention is important, as well as an understanding of their life cycle. The female flea will feed within a minute or two of jumping onto your pet, and within 24 hours will then start to lay eggs. She can lay 200 eggs per day! These fall away from the coat into the environment, later hatching as larvae, forming a pupae, before again emerging as an adult flea. Pupae can survive extended periods (many many months) in the environment. Fleas will sometimes bite humans also, but prefer cats and dogs.
There are various flea control methods, including topical treatments, oral medications, and for dogs there is now a convenient annual injection! Consistent flea control is important not only for your pet’s health but also to prevent infestations in the home environment. Speak with us about which product will best suit your pet and their lifestyle.
Heartworm (dogs)
Heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of affected dogs. The disease is transmitted through mosquito bites and can affect dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds.
Foxes can also be infected with heartworm, and local foxes provide a reservoir for infecting mosquitoes who may then bite our pet.
Symptoms of heartworm disease often develop slowly and can include coughing, fatigue, difficulty breathing, weight loss, and in severe cases, heart failure. Early detection through veterinary tests is crucial, as the disease can be very challenging to treat once it is present.
Prevention is always best when it comes to heartworm, but it must be given on time and consistently. The easiest prevention, and the one we recommend, is an annual injection given by us during your pet’s regular check-ups. This avoids you forgetting or missing doses, ensuring your pet is properly protected against this serious parasite.
Other parasites
There are many other parasite which may infect your pet, and although they are not as common in our area as those listed above, we still see them periodically.
- Ticks – There are several species of ticks that can infect pets, the most important of these is the paralysis tick Ixodes. It is present in high numbers in places such as Gippsland, so if you plan to travel with your dog to these areas they must be on a preventative product which properly covers ticks. Paralysis tick can be fatal if not detected and treated early, and infection is very serious. Speak with us about preventative products before you go.
- Mites and Lice – We see a few species of mites and lice on dogs and cats which visit us, including ear mites in young animals, and mange mites in pets which have travelled to country areas. Some young animals can get demodex mites while their immune system is developing. Mite and Lice infections often lead to irritation and hair loss, and some can be extremely itchy and burrow into the surface layers of the skin.
- Giardia and Coccidia – Infections with these intestinal parasites are more common in young animals, and will lead to gastrointestinal pain, weight loss, diarrhoea and vomiting.