Posts in Category: Fleas Ticks & Heartworm

The term “zoonotic” is something you might have heard before, as more cases of zoonotic illnesses have been reported over the past decade. Probably the most well known zoonotic illness is rabies. More recently, the spread of leptospirosis has garnered the attention of pet owners and has put a spotlight on illnesses that can be spread from pets to people.

Because zoonotic illnesses are something that will never be totally eradicated, it’s important to understand what these diseases are and how you can protect you and your family members, including your four-legged ones.

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We could all do a lot with an extra thousand bucks, right? A week-long inclusive vacation, season tickets to the Spurs, or new kitchen cabinets might round out the list of possible options. However, in the case of an unfortunate diagnosis of heartworm disease in your pet, that little nest egg could be applied to the cost of treatment.

Heartworm prevention isn’t free either, but when you consider the entire annual cost is about $200, the difference between prevention and treatment is clear.

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Although Lyme disease is no stranger to the limelight, this vector-borne illness remains abstract to millions of people and their pets. If you’ve neither seen a tick before or experienced Lyme disease first hand, this topic may be somewhat mysterious. However, in a relatively small window (approximately 1-2 days), mystery can morph into full-blown misery for a pet bitten by an infected tick.

Because Lyme disease can harm both pets and people, prevention is vital. That’s why our team has gathered the following information about Lyme disease in pets. Continue…

Parasites. Yuck.

Whether they be microscopic, worm-like, or have six legs, no one likes parasites; especially not on their family members, furry or otherwise. We have made great advances in recent years identifying safe, effective options for pet parasites prevention.

For many reasons, however, people continue to turn to home remedies for pet parasites.

Learn why these seemingly great solutions, however, aren’t all they’re cracked up to be….

The Importance of Parasite Prevention

Besides being just plain yucky, parasites in and on pets are serious business. Parasitic infections in animals can have serious implications on your pet’s overall health and well-being. Pets who have parasites may experience: Continue…

Let’s face it, nobody likes ticks. The very thought of them often causes a grimace, and every spring and summer brings those tiny goblins into the thick underbrush, long greasses, and trees, where they wait for a warm-blooded animal to stroll by. Like you or your dog… Continue…

Many pet owners often associate heartworm disease with dogs since they are much more likely to be infected become infected than cats (1 cat for every 10 dogs infected). This is due to the fact that the physiological makeup of felines is more resistant to the invading parasites.

However, both cats and dogs are susceptible to the infection. And, in fact, an estimated 10-14% of tested shelter cats are affected. This alarming statistic has us questioning whether or not it is more prevalence than previously thought.

Because heartworm disease is deadly to cats, routine screening and a monthly heartworm preventive are strongly advised. Continue…

No one likes to think about parasites. Unfortunately, they are a reality in pets (and people too!). Part of responsible pet ownership is protecting your pets from unwanted invaders. Doing so helps to keep dogs and cats healthier longer.

Parasites in Pets

It is not uncommon for our pets to be affected by one or more parasites at some point in their life. Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host (your pet) and benefits by taking nutrients from its host. There are a wide range of parasites that affect our animals. Some are just annoying, while others can cause major illness or even death. Continue…

The spring rains and warmer temperatures mean that it is time to think seriously about parasites and protecting our pets. Fleas, ticks, and heartworm are all especially bad this time of year, and pets that aren’t protected by a monthly parasite preventative are at risk.

These parasites are more than just a nuisance. All can pose serious threats to your pet’s health and, in some cases, even be fatal. Find out what your pet is up against when it comes to these parasites, and how you can help.

Fleas

Fleas are more than just an itchy nuisance for your pet. They can be an issue for you and your family when the fleas on your pet infest your house, including your furniture, linens Continue…