Ticks, fleas, heartworms, and intestinal parasites can threaten your pets all year long, not just when the weather gets warm. So protecting your pet from these dangerous parasites requires a year-round commitment! You may be able to see evidence of fleas, ticks, or internal parasites, but sometimes you can’t. Veterinary examinations and parasite testing are important ways to detect parasites and improve your pet’s health. Monthly parasite preventive medications can protect pets from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms. Don’t leave your pet unprotected from these predators.

Ticks and Fleas

Ticks and fleas are blood-drinking parasites that can also transmit serious diseases to pets. Ticks can transmit infections like Lyme disease, and fleas can transmit tapeworms and Bartonella—the bacteria that causes “cat scratch fever” in humans. You can sometimes see ticks or fleas on your pet, but fleas hide under your pet’s fur, and some ticks are very tiny—only the size of a pin head, so they are very difficult to

find. A veterinary examination can detect ticks or fleas on your pet, and monthly medication can control them.

Heartworms

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, and they can infect dogs and cats. Even indoor pets aren’t completely safe from heartworms, since 25% of heartworm infected cats live completely indoors. Heartworms damage the heart and lungs, and can even cause death! Fortunately, heartworm preventive medication can protect your pets from these dangerous parasites.

Intestinal Parasites

Roundworms, hookworms, and other intestinal parasites can cause serious illness in pets. Some of these parasites are even transmissible to humans, so preventing parasites in your pets also helps protect children and other family members. A veterinary examination and routine fecal testing can identify intestinal parasites, and many monthly heartworm preventive medications safely and effectively control them. Ask us how to protect your pets and family.