With summer and warmer weather on the horizon, you’ve probably been spending more time in the great outdoors with your furry friend. There’s just something amazing about breathing in the fresh air and soaking up some sun at this time of year. Unfortunately, we aren’t the only ones who enjoy warmer temperatures. External parasites like fleas and ticks also become more active when the temperature climbs. And while our area is fortunate not to have a significant heartworm problem, summer is still when the mosquitoes carrying these nasty parasites are most prevalent. Other internal parasites are more active during the summer months, too.
At Burien Veterinary Hospital, we encourage year-round internal and external parasite prevention. Despite this, summer is, by far, the most important time to make sure your four-legged family member is on an effective parasite prevention protocol. Keep reading to learn more about protecting your pet from parasites in Burien!
Protecting your pet from external parasites is about more than keeping them comfortable and preventing itchy skin. Bites from fleas and ticks can also cause a variety of health problems. Fleas carry tapeworm (a common internal parasite) and can infect pets when ingested. Their bites can also cause allergic reactions as well as hair loss, excessive scratching, and secondary skin infections.
Ticks are bad news, too. As you probably know, they carry a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick paralysis, and others. Tickborne illnesses are notoriously difficult to treat, and they can decrease your pet’s quality of life. If you and your pet have an active lifestyle and enjoy hiking and spending time in wooded areas or high grass, preventing tick bites is a must!
Internal parasites also cause a wide range of health issues in companion animals. From vomiting and weight loss to respiratory problems, these nasty creatures do a lot of damage despite their small size. While heartworm isn’t a huge problem in our area, it never hurts to keep your dog on heartworm medication.
Other internal parasites, including tapeworm, hookworm, and roundworm, reside in the digestive tract and can produce 85,000 eggs every single day. Since these eggs are microscopic, signs of internal parasites don’t commonly show up in a pet’s stool. The only exception is tapeworm, which often appears in feces and is visible to the naked eye. Young puppies and kittens are especially susceptible to parasites, but other animals can also be infected. Having your pet dewormed as part of their annual wellness care routine is an effective means of keeping parasites in check. We also recommend removing your pet’s waste from your yard as soon as possible.
At Burien Veterinary Hospital, we provide comprehensive parasite prevention in Burien. And thanks to our fully stocked in-house pharmacy, you can get the high-quality preventatives you need during your pet’s appointment. We also do fecal exams to check for parasites and determine if a patient is infested.
Whether your pet already has parasites or you’re looking to protect them from these disgusting creatures, we are here to help. Call now for safe and effective parasite prevention in Burien.
