Spring is here, and unfortunately, so are parasites. But how, exactly, do your pets get parasites? And how can you prevent them in the future? The experts at Germantown Vet are here to help. Parasites like fleas, ticks, and worms can be very dangerous to your pet’s health, so it’s very important that you know how to prevent an infestation.
Get parasite treatment and prevention in Montgomery County, MD by calling Germantown Vet at 240-252-7467240-252-7467!
How Pets Get Parasites
Both dogs and cats can be subject to parasites, so it’s vital that you know how to prevent your pet from getting them in future. Let’s take a look at some of the common parasites:
- Fleas & ticks – generally, pets contract fleas and ticks from the outdoors or from coming into contact with another pet that has been infested with these parasites. However, don’t think indoor pets like cats are completely safe! You can carry in fleas or ticks on your clothing after being outdoors or around other animals. These pesky parasites can jump from you onto your pets and cause a major problem. The safest thing you can do is make sure your pets have flea and tick treatments applied all year round.
- Heartworms – your pet can get heartworms when bitten by a mosquito carrying the heartworm parasite. Larvae enter the bloodstream and migrate toward the heart. Heartworms are much more common in dogs than cats, but can be found in either animal. There is no way to prevent heartworms other than medication—and an infection can be fatal, even when treated.
- Other worms – there are a number of other types of parasites your pet can contract, including roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and lungworms. They are all contracted by either making skin contact, ingesting an infected host (rodents, slugs, etc.), or ingested feces from an infected animal. Again, the only sure prevention is medication, so make sure your pet is protected. Many of these parasites are life-threatening and some can even be transferred to humans and cause complications.
How to Prevent Parasites
Really, the only sure way to prevent parasites from infesting your dog or cat and jeopardizing their health is to administer prevention medication. Our vets at Germantown Vet can provide you with the correct medication for your cat or dog and their specific weight group. Remember that you should only get parasite medication from a professional, otherwise you risk complications or adverse reactions.
Why you should only get flea & tick medication from a vet »
Get Your Pet’s Parasite Prevention Today!
Schedule an appointment with our friendly and experienced team at Germantown Vet today to make sure your pet’s parasite prevention medications are up to date! Help them lead a happy, healthy life—call today!
Contact us online or by phone at 240-252-7467240-252-7467 to schedule your appointment.
