Parasite Prevention

Give Them The Protection They Need

Protecting your pet from parasites is essential for their overall health and well-being. At Woodbury Animal Hospital, we offer comprehensive parasite prevention services, including deworming, flea control, tick prevention, and heartworm protection.

 

Deworming

Deworming is a crucial part of pet care. Nearly 85% of puppies and kittens are born with parasites, and while most develop immunity over time, stress and illness can weaken their defenses. Intestinal parasites affect growth and can be transmitted between pets and even to humans. Common internal parasites include:

• Coccidia
• Giardia
• Hookworms
• Roundworms
• Tapeworms
• Whipworms

Newborn puppies and kittens should be dewormed every two weeks starting at two weeks old until six months of age. The mother should follow the same schedule to prevent reinfection. Proper sanitation, including cleaning pet living areas and removing waste daily, is key to controlling parasites.

 

Flea Control

A flea problem on your pet means a flea problem in your home. Understanding the flea life cycle and effective control methods can be overwhelming. Our team is here to help you choose the best flea prevention and, if necessary, provide treatment. Visit the flea article in our Pet Health Library for more information.

 

Tick Prevention

Ticks are becoming more prevalent and can carry serious diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tick paralysis. Even indoor pets are at risk since ticks can hitch a ride inside on clothing. Keeping your pet on a tick preventive year-round is the best defense. If you find a tick on your pet, don’t panic—some preventives kill ticks after contact. Check your pet regularly and contact us with any concerns.

 

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause severe, sometimes fatal, damage to a pet’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Symptoms in dogs include coughing, fatigue, weight loss, and difficulty breathing. In cats, signs may resemble asthma or allergic bronchitis, making diagnosis challenging.

Prevention is far easier and safer than treatment. Monthly heartworm preventives protect against heartworms and often guard against other parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, fleas, and ticks. There is no approved treatment for heartworm in cats, making prevention even more critical. Contact us to start your pet on heartworm prevention today.