Parasite Prevention - Lakewood Animal Hospital

Parasite Prevention

Every Pet, Every Month

We follow the advice of the CAPC (Companion Animal Parasite Council) and recommend that all pets are on a monthly broad spectrum dewormer (like Heartgard, Interceptor or Revolution) as well as a flea and tick preventative! Using these products is one of the easiest ways to help keep your pet healthy and parasite free as well as minimizing human exposure to these same parasites!

What is heartworm disease?

Dogs acquire heartworms from a mosquito bite. The baby heartworms, called larva, mature into adult heartworms and eventually live in the pulmonary artery. The worms block blood flow and put stress on the heart. If heartworm disease is not treated, it leads to weight loss, lethargy, coughing and eventually heart failure and death.

Can cats get heartworm disease?

Yes! While heartworm disease is different in cats than it is in dogs, it can cause very serious and potentially life long respiratory disease. Additionally, unlike in dogs, there is no treatment for them once they acquire the infection. Luckily monthly preventatives like Revolution, prevent flea infestations as well as heartworm disease and are easy to use!

Why did the vet recommend putting my indoor pet on a flea and tick preventative?

Unfortunately those pesky fleas can travel indoors on people's clothes or even other pets. It is especially important to use monthly flea control on your indoor pet if he/she lives with other pets who travel outside and could bring in a few fleas. Flea infestations are much easier to prevent than they are to treat.

Which parasite preventatives are right for my pet?

There are a lot of very safe and effective heartworm and flea and tick preventatives on the market now. The currently available oral (pill or chewable) heartworm preventatives are effective in preventing heartworm infections and most of them also help prevent or control a variety of intestinal worms. Some preventatives can even help prevent flea infestations! We can help you find the right preventatives for your pet!

Preventatives we carry:

Heartgard
Sentinel
Revolution and Revolution Plus (feline)
Nexgard
Frontline Gold
Capstar

It surprises many of our clients that our preventatives are generally less expensive than the big box stores and online pharmacies!