Not Your Average Flea: Other Parasites that Can Harm Your Pet 

Each spring, most pet owners turn their attention to the warmer weather, opportunity for outdoor reaction, and, of course, those nasty parasites that truly bug us. These fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are the bane of most of our outdoor fun. These parasites also bother our pets, so it’s no doubt that the responsible pet owner will maintain parasite preventives to reduce their risk of vector-borne disease.

But what about those other parasitic pests that can harm pets? There are actually a few lesser known parasites that cause health problems for our four-leggeds, and sometimes for us, too.

Read on as the team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital explains other parasites that can harm your pet.

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Vaccinations and Preventives for Indoor Pets: Are They Really Necessary?

“Why does my pet need vaccines and flea prevention if she never goes outside?” This is a common question that indoor pet owners ask their veterinarian. And although it may seem as if monthly preventives for fleas, ticks, and heartworm as well as keeping vaccines current are a waste of money, the reality is that being indoors does not eliminate the risk of infectious disease or other parasite related problems for indoor pets.

Year round parasite control and a vaccination program are integral parts of your indoor pet’s health care plan. And because some parasites and infectious diseases are transmissible to humans, Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is certain that keeping your pet protected also protects your family.

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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Pet Parasite Prevention

pet parasite preventionParasites are a fact of life and they can range from annoying (fleas) to deadly (heartworm), and everything in between. These tiny creatures can create a world of misery for both pets and their owners, making pet parasite prevention a vitally important part of your pet care plan.

As with any aspect of your pet’s well-being, it’s important to do your research and figure out what will work best for your pet, and you. Here are a few things you may not know about pet parasite prevention.

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Pet Parasite Prevention: Not Just a Summer Thing!

Dog considering health risks of tcks, fleasMany people make the mistake of thinking pests like fleas, ticks, and heartworms go dormant in the fall. Unfortunately, this myth leads owners to forget about pet parasite prevention much of the year, leaving our companions vulnerable to a variety of diseases and conditions.
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Fleas, Ticks, and Heartworms: What You Need to Know

German Shepherd Dog and cat togetherThe 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…