Preventing Parasites in Dogs and Cats in Acton, MA

It only takes one bite from a mosquito, tick, or flea to cause health problems for your pet. Dogs and cats alike are enticing targets for common parasites like fleas, ticks, and heartworm-carrying mosquitoes. These pests prefer to feed on warm-blooded animals, and our pets are the perfect targets. But in addition to snacking on our pets, these parasites can also potentially infect them with infectious diseases. Acton Animal Hospital is dedicated to minimizing the threat of parasites in dogs and cats with routine parasite prevention. This includes high-quality preventive medications and yearly parasite screens.

Make sure your pet is current and fully covered with their parasite preventives. Call us at (978) 263-7477 or schedule an appointment today!

Veterinary Parasite Prevention Acton Ma
Colorful Cat On Exam Table
Doctor On Floor With Dog

The Trouble with Fleas

Fleas are prevalent pests that lay eggs in the fur of animals they feed on. They can transmit harmful parasites such as tapeworms and Murine typhus, and even cause conditions like dermatitis (skin itching and irritation) and, in more severe cases, anemia.

One flea can reproduce nearly 50 times a day, making a flea infestation a substantial threat to your pet’s well-being. Flea infestations often spread throughout your home as well, living in your carpet and furniture and making them tough to eradicate. Preventing an infestation altogether is the best way to protect your pet and your home.

Ticks are a Lurking Threat

Ticks are slightly larger than fleas, but they can still be hard to detect. They typically hide in shrubs, tall grass, and thick brush in yards and wooded areas. If your pet runs through a grassy field, they could pick up a hitchhiking tick or two. Once the tick latches on, it can feed on your pet, and potentially transmit a harmful disease such as Lyme disease, typhus, ehrlichiosis anaplasmosis, or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Some of these diseases can also be transmitted to humans, making them doubly dangerous. Be sure to inspect your pet (and yourself) closely after spending time outdoors.

Getting to the Heart of Heartworm Disease

Heartworm-carrying mosquitos represent a potentially lethal danger to your pet. The mosquito’s bite transmits the heartworm larvae to your dog or cat, which then slowly develops and makes its way toward the heart. Once there, it multiplies within your pet’s pulmonary artery, leading to constricted blood flow, heart disease, and major organ failure. In severe cases, heartworm disease can be fatal. Additionally, the condition is only treatable in dogs if it happens to be caught in time.

This makes heartworm prevention a major pillar in your pet’s parasite prevention strategy.

The Keys to Preventing Parasites in Dogs and Cats

Treating your pet with flea, tick, and heartworm preventives on a regular basis is essential to preventing infestations and parasitic diseases. We also recommend annual parasite screens and other lab workups to check on your pet’s internal health. Often, parasite-transmitted diseases can take time to reveal their symptoms, and we want to protect your pet from any needless discomfort or illness.

Above all, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian at Acton Animal Hospital. Our team will give you the information you need to safeguard your four-legged family member while also keeping your home pest-free.

If you have any questions or need an appointment, call us today at (978) 263-7477!