Pet Parasite Prevention in Shrewsbury: What You Need to Know
Pests come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with each affecting our pet in a different way. They can live internally or affect your pet externally as well. The most common pests include fleas, ticks, and heartworms. Luckily, we offer several methods for not only treating a pet infested with these parasites, but for preventing them too!
What They Are and Where They Come From
Fleas and ticks are external parasites that feed on your pet’s skin. Pets with flea dermatitis suffer even greater discomfort as each bite generates an allergic reaction that gives them irritated, itchy skin. Fleas are spread when their eggs come in contact with your pet’s fur or skin. They snuggle in and grow to pesky adults who linger and breed some more.
Ticks on the other hand, are typically found in wooded areas, and will disappear after they’ve had their fill. However, that one bite can prove to be dangerous. Ticks carry a number of tick-borne illnesses, the most common of which is Lyme disease. Preventing a bite from this pesky insect protects your pet from this disease.
Heartworms are contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The larvae move through the body and reach the heart and blood vessels within the lungs. Several months after the bite, the heartworms will have matured and begin to seriously affect your pet’s health.
Prevention: The First Line of Defense
Prevention is the best method for ensuring your pet is living a healthy, fulfilling life. By avoiding infection altogether, your pet is freed from the complications associated with parasite infestation. Fleas, ticks, and heartworms are preventable via a range of options.
Products we offer for flea and tick prevention includes:
- NexGard chews
- Bravecto, available as either a chew (for dogs) or a topical (for cats) and both are good for 3 months
- Seresto Collar, a collar that is effective against fleas and ticks for up to 8 continuous months
For heartworms, we offer:
- Advantage Multi, a topical that prevents not only heartworm, but fleas, hookworms, roundworms, and ear mites
- Proheart – an injection that is effective for 6 months
- Heartgard chewable tablets
For more information about parasite prevention, don’t hesitate to call us at 732-268-8180 today!