Parasites Lurk Everywhere
No matter how clean you keep your house, your yard, or your pet, parasites can and will infect them at some point in their lifetime. Prevention is the best medicine and the best hope you have for combating them and keeping them at a bay. If you walk in a neighbor’s yard and come back to your own, you can track in parasites. Strays will come through your yard, or the park where you walk your pet, carrying who knows what. If a mosquito can get into your house and bite you, it can bite your pet. Thus, the cycle begins.
Not for the weak stomach!
Did you know that a worm the length of a ruler can grow inside you or your pet? There are all types of Parasites just waiting to setup housekeeping in your pet. Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, heartworms, and coccida are the main culprits. Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms, can be passed on to humans as well. Coccida is not a worm, but a single cell microscopic organism that can wreak havoc on your pet.
Normally if you give your pet a monthly heartworm preventative it will contain de-wormers for several of the above mentioned worms as well. “Heartgard” for instance, treats and controls Ascarid and hookworms in dogs. You must get with your vet for a pre-test first. You don’t want to start your dog on any preventative program until you know that they are heartworm free, as it can cause serious harm. You must also use the correct amount per their weight, but, by all means get them on a heartworm preventative measure, especially if you live in a mosquito prone area. I also want to mention again, just because your pet may not spend much time outdoors doesn’t mean they won’t get heartworms. If a mosquito can get in to bite you, it can bite your dog! Once the mosquito has bitten your dog and set the wheel in motion; with no prevention, your dog is only a few years from a horrible death. Be it a slow one from the gradual build up of many thousands of worms digging into their heart and destroying it, or a sudden death when they jump up to greet you and a pack of the worms breaks loose and blocks the dogs artery causing a sudden heart attack. Neither one paints a pretty picture does it?
So, the bottom line is an ounce of prevention is worth the life of your dog. And I literally mean an ounce. Most medicines are small amounts and can usually be bought at your local pet or feed store. But buyer beware! You sometimes get what you pay for! Always know what you specifically are treating for and what you are buying to treat! It is always best to use your vet for these things when possible, and get their advice before self treating!
Good Luck, and have a Pawfect Day! Your pet loves and adores you! Earn that adoration by keeping a healthy pet!
