Take Action to Protect Your Dog Against Harmful Parasites!

 

The Importance of Monthly Parasite Prevention

At Maple Grove Pet Hospital, we know how important your beloved pet’s health is. Through regular screening, preventive medications, and expert guidance, our veterinary team helps protect you and your pet from devastating parasites like heartworms, intestinal worms, fleas, and ticks.

By maintaining a consistent monthly parasite prevention routine, we can help your dog stay healthy and parasite-free. We believe that investing in quality parasite prevention is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your dog’s long-term health and quality of life.

Internal Parasites in Pets

Your pet can be affected by several internal parasites that, if left untreated, can cause serious health complications and discomfort. These parasites typically live in your dog’s digestive system or bloodstream, feeding off your pet’s nutrients, and can cause extensive damage to vital organs. 

While some parasites may show obvious symptoms, others can go undetected without proper screening, making regular testing and prevention crucial for your dog’s well-being.

Some of the most common internal parasites found in dogs include:

• Heartworms: Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites and live in your dog’s heart and blood vessels. They can cause severe heart and lung damage, leading to heart failure if untreated.
• Roundworms: These are the most common intestinal parasites in dogs, especially in puppies. These can be transmitted to puppies before birth or through mother’s milk, and they can also infect humans. 
• Hookworms: These small intestinal parasites feed on blood and can cause anemia, weakness, and weight loss. Hookworms are particularly dangerous for puppies if left untreated.
• Tapeworms: Tapeworms are typically acquired by ingesting infected fleas or consuming infected animals. Tapeworms appear as small rice-like segments in your dog’s stool or around their rear end.
• Whipworms: Whipworms live in the large intestine and can cause severe inflammation in your dog’s body. Symptoms can include chronic diarrhea and weight loss, and it can be difficult to diagnose as eggs shed intermittently.
• Giardia: These microscopic parasites infect the small intestine, causing diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. Giardia is commonly contracted through contaminated water.

It’s not always possible to monitor everything your dog eats or drinks, but with regular deworming treatments and heartworm prevention, your dog can be protected against these harmful parasites.

Common Signs of Internal Parasites in Dogs

Some parasites have obvious symptoms, while others do not. The key to knowing whether your dog is struggling with parasites, therefore, is being attuned to all of the common signs and knowing what to watch for. Being alert to these symptoms also allows for early detection and treatment, leading to a better outcome. 

These are the most common signs of internal parasites in dogs:

• Diarrhea, especially if persistent or containing blood
• Vomiting
• Changes in appetite (either increased or decreased)
• Visible worms or rice-like segments in stool
• Dull, rough, or dry coat
• Skin irritation or excessive scratching
• Scooting or dragging their rear end across the floor
• Constant coughing (particularly with heartworm infection)
• Changes in normal energy levels
• Restlessness, especially at night

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it’s important to contact us promptly, as they can be passed along to you and other family members.

Common Signs of External Parasites in Dogs

External parasites are another parasite to watch for in your dog. External parasites live on your dog’s skin and coat rather than inside their body, like internal parasites. Like internal parasites, they can be passed to other pets and family members.

These parasites feed on your dog’s blood or skin cells from the outside, causing irritation, discomfort, and potential skin infections. At first glance, they may seem less serious than internal parasites, but external parasites can transmit dangerous diseases and cause severe health issues if left untreated.

These are some of the most common external parasites in dogs and what to watch for:

• Fleas: These tiny, fast-moving brown insects are visible in your dog’s fur and cause excessive scratching, biting, or licking, especially around the tail base.
• Ticks: Ticks are visible parasites that attach to skin and may look like small bumps. Common attachment sites include ears, neck, and between toes.
• Mites (Causing Mange): Mites cause intense itching, scratching, and even hair loss, especially starting on face or paws. If left untreated, it can cause your dog to have red, scaly, or crusty, elephant-like skin. 

• Lice: These tiny white eggs (nits) attach to the hair shafts and cause constant scratching and restlessness. They can result in a rough, dry, or matted-looking coat with small wounds or infections from scratching. 

In general, if you notice any of these things in your dog, it is important to take them to see a veterinary professional for dog flea prevention:

• Excessive scratching, licking, or biting at the skin
• Changes in coat appearance or texture
• Visible parasites or eggs in fur
• Skin inflammation or redness
• Scabs or hot spots
• Restless behavior
• Hair loss or bald patches
• Ear scratching or head shaking

Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs

At our Maple Grove vet clinic, we provide a wide variety of flea and tick prevention based on your pet’s needs and medical history. Options may include oral, topical, or long-lasting collars. During your annual wellness visits, we’ll assess your dog’s parasite prevention program and adjust as needed, ensuring continuous protection for your pet and family.

Heartworm Prevention

Our facility also prioritizes heartworm prevention through safe, monthly preventive medications available in both oral and topical forms. 

Some of the best dog parasite prevention treatments include:

Oral and Injectable Monthly Preventives

• Proheart 12 Injectable: This protects dogs 12 months and older from heartworm disease and treats hookworm infections, offering a convenient alternative to monthly preventatives.
• Simparica Trio® (sarolaner/moxidectin/pyrantel): This oral preventative fights against fleas, ticks, and other parasites.

How to Help Your Dog At Home

Good parasite prevention doesn’t stop at the veterinary clinic. Taking proactive measures at home is essential for creating a safe, healthy environment for your dog and reducing their risk of parasite infection. 

Here are some simple things you can do to help your dog at home:

• Clean your pet’s bedding weekly in hot water
• Vacuum carpets and furniture frequently, especially in areas where your pet spends time
• Keep your home clean and dry to prevent flea populations from establishing
• Promptly clean up any indoor accidents to prevent parasite eggs from spreading
• Store pet food in sealed containers to prevent pest contamination
• Pick up waste from your yard daily to prevent soil contamination

• Keep grass trimmed short to reduce tick habitats
• Remove standing water from your yard to reduce mosquito breeding areas

Finally, remember to maintain regular veterinary check-ups and stay current with preventive medications, as home prevention works best when combined with professional veterinary care.

Take Action Against Parasites with a Wellness Exam

Establishing a routine is essential for preventing parasites and other illnesses in your furry friend. Start building a wellness routine today by scheduling an exam with our team at Maple Grove Pet Hospital. Together, we’ll ensure your pet lives a happy, healthy, and parasite-free life.