Understanding the Threat of Parasites to Your Dog
At Maple Grove Pet Hospital, we are committed to protecting your pets from the harmful effects of parasites, both intestinal and external. Our comprehensive parasite prevention protocols are designed to safeguard your pets’ health and well-being, as well as the health of your family.
Intestinal Parasite Control
Puppies and kittens are particularly vulnerable to intestinal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms, as well as single-cell organisms like coccidia and Giardia. Our wellness care includes preventative deworming for young pets, followed by ongoing monthly prevention throughout your pet’s lifetime. To ensure no infection has developed, we recommend annual fecal testing for all pets.
Heartworm Prevention
Heartworms pose a deadly risk to dogs and cats in all 50 states. Transmitted by mosquitoes, these parasites can develop into adult worms that infiltrate the heart and lungs of our pets. Year-round protection is highly important, which is why we recommend monthly medication for prevention. We advise annual testing for all dogs to ensure they remain heartworm-free.
External Parasite Control
In addition to intestinal parasites, ticks and fleas are common in Minnesota and surrounding states. These parasites not only cause great discomfort for your pets, but they can also lead to infection and disease. To keep your pet healthy and parasite-free, we recommend using quality flea and tick preventatives on a monthly basis, particularly during spring and fall when these pests are most active.
Ticks can spread the following diseases to your pets:
- Lyme disease
- Ehrlichiosis
- Anaplasmosis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Fleas can spread the following diseases to your pets:
- Bartonellosis
- Tapeworm infection
Don’t let parasites threaten the health of your beloved pets or family. Our team can help you choose the best options for your dog, and we offer a variety of effective flea and tick preventatives to suit your their specific needs.