Our pets are a part of our families and like any other member, it is important to keep them healthy and free of parasites. Sadly, it is common for a dog or cat to be infected with an internal or external parasite. Parasites can negatively affect your pet in a variety of ways, ranging from simple irritation to causing life-threatening conditions if left untreated. This can be quite frustrating for veterinary teams like ours because all it takes is regular preventive medicines to keep pets protected! To learn more about how we can help keep your furry friend free from fleas, ticks, heartworm and other pests, please call us at 902-865-8110.

Can people get parasites from pets?

Yes! Have you heard the term Zoonotic? Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted directly or indirectly from animals to humans! Hookworm and roundworm are just two of the internal parasites which your pet can pass on to you and other people around you! For this reason, ensuring your pet is properly treated with preventive medications will protect not only them, but so many other people and animals around you.

How can you protect my pet from parasites?

We have a variety of different preventative products for internal parasites (heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm) and external parasites (fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, lice, ear, and skin mites) that come in many different formulations and dosing schedules.

Which preventive treatment is best for my pet?

The product recommended to you will be based on your pet’s lifestyle, your family dynamic, other pets in your home, and your personal preferences. No one product is right for every pet. During a consultation, we can assess which product will work best for your unique situation. For example, a hunting dog will need a different set of preventive drugs than an indoor cat. NOTE: All pets need parasite protection, even if they live 100% indoors! Pests can still get to them via you, other people, other animals and objects that enter your home.

Did you know pets need deworming all throughout their lives, not only during the puppy or kitten years? Consistent deworming is absolutely essential so your pet remains protected from harmful intestinal worms. If you have any further questions about deworming not addressed on this page, please feel free to call us at 902-865-8110 and one of our team members will be happy to assist you with this and any other concerns you may have about your pet.

DEWORMING

What does it mean if a pet is dewormed?

If your pet has been dewormed, this means they received medications that will prevent them from getting intestinal parasites like roundworms and tapeworms. These medications can be oral pills or ointments that come in various formulations so we can decide which will best suit your pet’s specific needs and lifestyle.

How long does it take for deworming to work?

Deworming works a lot faster than you think! In fact, they can kill worms almost instantly. Some medications will literally break apart the worms, while other will simply kill them. In some cases, you may even see worms in your pet’s stool after treatment. Please do not be alarmed when this happens. It means the medication is working.

How do I know if my pet has worms?

We cannot stress the importance of regular check-ups. Some worm infestations can be diagnosed only through professional screenings here at the hospital because your pet may not even display any symptoms at all (e.g. pets with a small amount of worms, an infestation at its early stage). Be that as it may, signs you should watch out for are dragging of the rear, reduced appetite, softer stool, potbelly, diarrhea, weight loss and lethargy.