Fleas
Fleas are a type of external parasite with many different species including dog fleas, cat fleas, rabbit fleas and human fleas. It is possible for different species of fleas to infest more than one host species.
A good way to check if your pet has fleas is to groom them using a fine-toothed comb held over something white, like a piece of kitchen paper. Any fleas or flea droppings will be deposited on the surface. Add a few drops of water, and if the droppings turn reddish brown, it’s very likely your pet has fleas.
If you do find fleas on your pet or in your home, it’s essential to treat both, as fleas can survive in the environment without a host for many months.
Prevention is better than cure…!
We recommend using a monthly or quarterly product to prevent your pets from picking up fleas as well as other parasites such as ticks and mites. Talk to one of our vets today about the best course of treatment for your particular animal.
Worms
Regular worming prevents your cat or dog becoming ill from a worm infection. There are several types of worm that can infect your pet and cause illness such as skin irritations, diarrhoea and some can even be fatal if left untreated.
Talk to one of our vets today about the best course of treatment for your particular animal, prevention is definitely better than cure in this case.
Tapeworms – long flat worms made up of multiple segments that can grow to 55cm long. These worms shed their segments which can be seen in faeces and resemble white rice grains.
Roundworms – look like a ‘typical worm’, being white and string like in appearance. These worms can sometimes be seen in faeces or vomit but often stay within your pet’s digestive tract.
Lungworms – live in the lungs and airways and not the digestive tract. Lungworm has only become a problem in the UK recently but are potentially fatal if not treated.
Most animals are infected with worms via ingesting their eggs or larva. This can be directly from the ground (roundworms) or via ingestion of an intermediate host like a flea, slug or snail (tapeworm and lungworm). Some worms can also spread directly from mum to pup/kitten via the placentae and in some circumstances even the milk.
Worm infections vary in the clinical signs that they cause. These may include vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss or respiratory problems. We must also remember that some worms can be transmitted from animals to humans, especially children, so it is important to regularly protect your pet from infection.
There are multiple products on the market these days to treat and prevent against all types of worms in cats and dogs. No one product suits every animal, therefore talk to one of our staff or book a nurse clinic to chat about your pets lifestyle and how best to protect them.
