Parasites
As the weather warms up, we start to see more parasite problems for all sorts of pets.
Here are some of the more common parasites we come across, as well as some information on the problems they cause and how to get rid of them.
Fleas
FleasFleas are relatively easy to spot, and if not, your pet will let you know! Look out for these clues:
- Your pet might constantly be scratching or chewing and become quite irritable.
- You might notice red, sore-looking bumps or blisters on your pet’s skin.
- If you look close enough, you might see ‘flea dirt’ – this is a flea waste product that looks like tiny little flecks of pepper.
- Sometimes, you can even see the fleas moving around themselves – tiny little brown or black wingless insects, with an incredible jump!
Flea bites are not only uncomfortable and frustrating for your pets, but they can also lead to serious wound infections, anaemia, tapeworms, and dermatitis.
Moving swiftly is the key to flea treatment! You will need to treat:
- Every pet in your household
- Pet bedding
- Carpet
- Furniture
- Any other soft furnishings a flea or its eggs might be hiding
If you have any questions or require parasite product advice, organise an appointment with your vet.
Ticks
Ticks can be found in every state of Australia. There are many different species of ticks, and some pose a significant threat to the wellbeing of our pets. The most common species that affect our pets are the paralysis tick, the bush tick, the cattle tick, and the brown dog tick.
- Paralysis ticks are particularly dangerous, as they deliver a neurotoxin into our pet’s bloodstream as they feed, leading to severe paralysis of the muscles – including the heart, proving fatal.
- Brown dog ticks are not deadly themselves but can cause dermatitis and anaemia, as well as carry some nasty diseases, including Ehrlichiosis, which has only recently been discovered in more northern parts of Australia, and is spreading to some southern parts.
The best practice is to regularly check your dog for ticks after being outside – run your fingers through their coats to feel for any unusual lumps on their skin. Be sure to check over your pets’ entire body, especially:
- Around their head and ears
- Inside their ears
- In their mouths
- Under their tail
- Between their toes
- Underneath their collar
Ticks are sneaky and can easily latch on to many different areas on your pet.
If you come across a tick, be sure to give us a call to organise its removal as soon as possible – it is vital to act quickly and we will ensure to remove all of the tick – even a small part leftover can continue to cause problems for your furry friend.
Keeping your dog protected year-round from ticks is key - we recommend tick prevention treatments like spot-on drops or tick collars. Speak to us today for our recommendation and prevent your pet from any unnecessary discomfort and illness.
Mosquitoes
Dogs, cats, rodents. and birds make for easy targets and tasty snacks for mosquitoes. While the mosquito bite itself is more annoying than threatening, mosquitoes can spread heartworm and other potentially fatal parasites to your pets.
We recommend making sure there is no stagnant or still water around the backyard – this is where mosquito larvae grow. If possible, bring your pets indoors between dusk and dawn, or make sure they have a safe, meshed area to sleep in. Pet safe mosquito and insect repellents are available that may be used. Speak to us if you have any concerns about mozzies in your area.
Intestinal worms
Many different worms can affect our pets! Some species are not exclusive to cats and dogs, but rodents, birds, and reptiles too. Some more common worms we see are:
- Roundworm
- Hookworm
- Tapeworm
- Whipworm
- Heartworm
These worms can be transmitted in several ways, including:
- Coming into contact with (or eating) soil, grass, or faeces containing larvae or eggs,
- Coming into direct contact with an infected animal
- Transmitted in-utero or through milk fed to babies
- Via insects, such as mosquitoes and fleas
Symptoms associated with worm infestations can include:
- Diarrhoea
- Bloody stools
- Anaemia
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Visible worms – either in stools or around the anus
- Lung disease
Prevention is the best cure - by administering regular preventatives which are available in various forms and combinations with other parasite control products. Ask your clinic for advice on the best preventative for your pet. If your pet is unwell, please book a consultation.
Giardia
Giardia is a lesser-known parasite that is surprisingly common. It is a microscopic protozoan that can infect humans, dogs, and cats.
Giardia contaminates bodies of water – it can be ingested by your pet when drinking or having a swim, this is why we see cases of giardia infection more often in the warmer months. Signs your pet may be infected include:
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Reduced activity
- Sudden or inexplicable weight loss
- Bloody stools
Giardia is not usually life-threatening, but it is important to treat as your pet will feel unwell.
Give your local vet team a call or book an appointment if you think your pet may have giardia, it can be easily treated with after diagnosis.
If you have any concerns about parasites and your pet, please organise a consultation to discuss these with your vet.
Focus on worms
Both dogs and cats need to be regularly treated for worms. The most common form of worms are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Most of the time your pet can be infected with worms without you even knowing. Because of this, both dogs and cats worming schedules should be followed closely to prevent them from infection.
In this article, we will explore the different types of worms that can infect your pet.
Roundworms
This is the most common type of worm in both dogs and cats. Adult roundworms live in the intestines of our pets and can produce 200,000 eggs per day. Many pets don’t show any signs of being infected, however in major cases of infection the symptoms are:
- Rapid breathing, nasal discharge and cough, sometimes pneumonia
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Swollen abdomen
- Poor overall condition, weight loss and a poor coat
- Faeces with spaghetti-like worms up to 18cm
Whipworms
Whipworms aver 4 – 7.5cm in length and can live up to 1.5 years. Their eggs are very resistant and can remain infectious for up to 5 years in the environment. Whipworms usually only infect dogs and cause problems especially in kennels. Most infections are without symptoms but sometimes can lead to slimy diarrhoea and fresh blood.
Hookworms
These worms live in the small intestine and feed on the lining of the intestines and can be potentially fatal. Hookworms also suck blood which can lead to internal blood loss. In older animals, the blood loss may be chronic, and the pet may have diarrhea and show weight loss.
Tapeworms
This tapeworm is largely harmless and is transmitted via fleas and sometimes lice. Cats and dogs can catch a flea and eat it, and in doing so can infect itself with the eggs of the tapeworm that are inside the flea. Tapeworm can grow to up to about 50cm but a pet will only show symptoms when there are many of them – such as diarrhoea.
How to protect your pet
It is essential to stay on top of worming treatment for your pet. Take note of their last treatment and when their next treatment is due to ensure that they stay protected at all times. As well as a timely treatment there are extra things you can do to keep your pet protected:
- Disinfect food and water bowls regularly
- Annual wellness checks with your veterinarian.
- Pick up after your pet regularly
- Keep their common areas clean
Is your fur baby up to date with parasite protection?
It is that time of year for Spring cleaning and organising, a great time to add making sure your fur baby is up to date with their parasite treatment into the spring-cleaning schedule. Fleas and worms can be very harmful to your pet and cause them much discomfort. Here, we go through some symptoms to look out for and the best way to make sure your furry family member is protected all year long.
Fleas are parasites that live externally on the skin of an infested animal. Flea’s bite in order to draw blood from their host, this can be irritating and painful to animals while also causing damage to their skin.
Adult fleas are small, dark insects visible to the naked eye who move quickly around the host animal. While fleas are often difficult to see, ‘flea dirt’ (flea faeces) can often be seen in the coat or on the skin when the hair is parted.
How to know if your pet has fleas
Contrary to popular belief, fleas do not always cause excessive scratching. It is possible for some animals to show little evidence of flea infestation. Some cats will scratch at fleas only when they are not being observed. Other animals can be more sensitive and will scratch and bite intensely at the area, which can lead to infection. Your pet could also be allergic to flea’s, causing severe skin reactions.
Symptoms to watch out for are:
- Excessive scratching
- Redness of skin
- Bald patches
- Visible fleas on your pets’ skin
Signs that your pet has worms
While roundworm and tapeworm are the most common variety of infestation, there are many different types of worms that can infect your pet. Some worms are transferred via animals such as mice, rats or even insects like fleas, while others can be transferred through environmental contamination in high-risk areas where there is a lot of animal traffic such as dog parks.
Different types of worms tend to have similar symptoms; however, it is important to remember that your pet may not show symptoms at all!
Symptoms of worms in your pet may include:
- Noticeable weakness
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Weight loss and
- Abnormally swollen stomach
Managing fleas and worms
Prevention is the key to managing both fleas and worms in your pet. Treatments can come in the form of tablets or topical treatments that are applied directly to the skin. It is crucial to follow the instructions on your chosen treatment and that you are treating your pet at the proper time, whether it be a 1-month or 3-month treatment, to ensure that they are always protected.
We have put together a handy treatment schedule so you are 100% sure that your pet is protected, and you can track when they need their next treatment. Save the image and print it to hang up at home.
If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, make an appointment so see one of our veterinarians as soon as possible to receive proper treatment.
