Some of our pets' worst enemies are the many different types of parasites that can attack them on the outside and on the inside.  Fleas and ticks are more than just a nuisance to your pet.  They can be very dangerous to your pets' health, not to mention very annoying to us as pet owners. Ticks carry several types of diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Tularemia, all of which you can contract too.  Fleas can also cause health problems in your pets such as skin allergies, internal parasites (tapeworms), anemia, and in cats they can spread cat scratch disease'.   Fleas brought into your home either on your pet or you, can also cause infestations that can be hard to eliminate.  And don't forget, fleas and ticks can bite you too!

Countryside Animal Hospital offers a variety of flea and tick preventions such as Advantage, Advantix, Frontline, and Revolution to control these parasites.

     - Advantage stops fleas from biting in less than 5 minutes and kills 98% to 100% of fleas within 12 hours of initial application. Any new fleas that come in contact with treated pets are killed within 2 hours.

         - Advantix contains the same great flea control as Advantage plus some extra bonuses.  It kills 98% to 100% of fleas within 12 hours of application.  It also repels and kills 4 types of ticks found in our area and it repels and kills mosquitoes before they can bite.  Mosquitoes are carriers of West Nile Virus and can spread deadly heartworm disease to your dog.

 

       - Frontline controls ticks for 1 month 
 and fleas for up to 3 months and 
 kills all stages of fleas and ticks.

 - Revolution kills 99.8% of fleas within 36 hours of treatment.  This product also kills all stages of fleas and controls American  Dog Tick infestations.  However, Revolution is also a heartworm preventative and your dog must test negative before applying.

All of these are topical products applied between the shoulder blades monthly.  (Advantix cannot be used on cats like Frontline, Revolution, and Advantage can be.) Be careful of imitation products you may see at supermarkets.  They are NOT the same product and they do not provide the same protection.  We have seen several pets that have had severe allergic reactions to this over the counter medication, not to mention the continued flea problem. Our pets are also in danger from internal parasites such as Heartworms, Hookworms, Roundworms, and Whipworms.

More than 244,000 dogs in the U.S. tested positive for heartworms in 2001.  Canine Heartworm Disease is a very serious and often fatal condition if left untreated.  Heartworms can cause a number of serious symptoms, including difficulty breathing, lack of energy and heart damage. They can also cause vomiting, coughing, and in some cases sudden death.  These symptoms may be hidden in the early stages of the disease, so it's very important to have your dog tested regularly and to keep them on a heartworm preventative year round.

Heartworms can only be transmitted from dog to dog by infected mosquitoes, and it is important to remember that it only takes one bite.  Also, do not assume that because your dog stays inside that he is not at risk.  Think about how many times you have killed mosquitoes in your home.  Your pet also has to go outside to use the bathroom.  So it is safe to assume that ALL pets, inside and out, are at risk, and because our area sees mosquitoes 12 months out of the year, we stress the importance of year round protection. 

Interceptor is a chewable flavored tablet given once a month.  It controls heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Revolution is a liquid applied topically once a month.  It controls heartworms, fleas, ear mites, and American dog ticks.  

Hookworms can also be a serious health hazard for your pet.  Nearly 20% of all dogs in the U.S. are infected.  Hookworms feed on the intestinal walls of your dog.  Your pet can be infected by accidentally ingesting eggs or larvae in contaminated soil or feces.  Hookworm larvae also infect dogs by penetrating directly through their skin and are often passed to puppies from their mothers.  Unfortunately, we can also be affected by hookworms.  They can cause us to have red, itchy skin rashes, severe stomach aches, and nausea.

Some signs of a hookworm infection in your dog include:

• Dark or bloody diarrhea
• Weakness
• Pale gums
• Weight loss
• Sudden death

  90% of puppies are born with roundworms or acquire them shortly after birth from their mothers.  Dogs of any age can get roundworms from an environment contaminated by the feces of infected animals.  Roundworms live in the intestines of infected dogs, causing obstructions and depriving them of nutrients.  We can also be affected by roundworms.  They can cause damage to our internal organs, pneumonia, and partial or total blindness. Serious infections can be fatal to puppies.

Some signs of a roundworm infection in your dog include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Dull Scruffy coat
• "Pot belly"

We can become infected by hookworms and roundworms through contact with objects or areas contaminated by the fecal matter of an infected dog. Whipworms affect one in seven dogs.  They can cause diarrhea, anemia, weight loss, and dehydration.  Whipworms can also be extremely difficult to detect.  Dogs become infected with whipworms by swallowing whipworm eggs passed from an infected dog.

Our pets are susceptible to many diseases and parasites.  Therefore, it is necessary to protect them with the correct preventions and treatments.  Parasites can be found everywhere and an effective way to reduce the risk of infection to your pet and your family is by maintaining continuous, year round protections.

If you have any additional questions or believe that your pet may be infected by one of these parasites, you may contact us at 501-624-2351.