Parasite Prevention

Fleas and ticks are the most common external parasites of companion animals. While we can see these parasites with our naked eye, prevention is important because it is far easier to prevent an outbreak, rather than get one under control after it has occurred. In addition to itching and other skin problems, fleas and ticks can transmit diseases to both pets and people! The best way to prevent these other diseases (such as Lyme disease) is to prevent the parasite infestation in the first place. 

These stealthy hitchhikers can slip into your home through a tiny tear in a window screen, on your pets, or even on you! Even if your pet does not go outdoors, you can bring flea eggs inside  on your shoes and clothes. Fleas & other parasites can also be transmitted through even very brief encounters with infested animals. Each flea can produce 50 to 100 eggs daily! The majority of the flea population (i.e. eggs, larvae, and pupae) are found off the pet and around the home. Despite this, modern flea & tick prevention products work so well that extensive environmental  control is not always necessary.

There are a number of even sneakier parasites that our pets are vulnerable to. We cannot see these with our naked eye, so it can be harder to know if our pets have them. For these parasites, proactive prevention is arguably even more important. One of the most serious of these internal parasites is heartworm disease. This can affect both dogs and cats, and is transmitted by mosquito bites. Even if your pet rarely goes outdoors, everyone gets mosquitoes in their home from time to time. Mosquitos only need a split second to dive in through an open door! 

While fleas, ticks, and heartworm disease are most bothersome during the warmer months, at Toebeans & Tails Veterinary Hospital we believe all pets should receive regular heartworm, flea, and tick prevention all year long. Many of these products have the added benefit of keeping previously common mite infestations (such as ear mites and mange) at bay. Additionally, most will deworm for the most common intestinal parasites seen in dogs and cats. The CDC recommends deworming all pets at least quarterly, since many of the parasites that infect our pets can also infect humans. Pets that are on monthly heartworm, flea, and tick prevention do not need any other routine quarterly deworming. 

A wide variety of parasite prevention products are available, such as monthly topical liquids and oral medicines, veterinary-approved collars, shampoos, sprays, and powders. 

Our knowledgeable staff can help you determine the proper plan of treatment for your pet and your home, as well as show you how to safely use each product. Keep in mind that canine-only products are not designed for felines and could cause serious health issues and even death. Age and weight are also factors to consider in determining which products are best for your pet.