External Parasites
Fleas
Fleas are very small parasites that feed on the blood of animals. They can be picked up anywhere in the environment, and will even use humans or objects as mode of transportation if necessary. Fleas repopulate at an alarming rate; a female flea can lay upwards of 50-100 eggs per day! A severe infestation can happen in a matter of days if conditions are favourable for the flea. Fleas are also very resilient creatures, and will hibernate in poor conditions, only to "wake up" when the conditions become favourable again. This is why prevention is recommended over treatment when it comes to fleas. In case of a flea infestation in your house, you will have to treat ALL pets for at least 3 consecutive months, and clean all surfaces in your home to ensure no fleas are left behind to reinfest your pet.
Ticks
Ticks are an arachnid parasite that feed on the blood of their prey. They are primarily found in dense tall grass and heavily wooded areas. They jump onto animals (and humans!) as they walk by, crawl around to find the perfect spot, then latch on to feed. Ticks are extremely small and will often go unnoticed by owners until they have been feeding for a while, at which point their body becomes engorged in blood and are much bigger and more noticeable. It is recommended that owners regularly check their pets for ticks, especially after visiting high-risk areas, since some ticks can be carriers of diseases such as Lyme. Tick removal is relatively easy to do at home; just pull and twist in an upright motion at the base of the head of the parasite until it comes out! You can even bring the tick to your local vet and have it tested to know if it is a carrier of Lyme or other tick-borne diseases. As for prevention, there are many products available to help you and your pet remain tick-free! For more information on these products, please contact your vet.
Ear Mites
Ear mites are nasty little insects that live in the ear canal of cats and dogs, and that cause extreme itchiness and discomfort for your pet. They are highly contagious between pets, and so if one pet has ear mites, it is advised that we treat all pets in the household. Ear mites can be diagnosed with an ear swab at your local vet, and is easily treatable with anti-parasitics and ear drops. If left untreated, your pet could develop an ear infection and/or aural hematoma, which can be described as a pocket of blood on your pet's ear flap, caused by ruptured vessels in the ear due to extreme scratching. This can become very uncomfortable and painful for your pet, and may require manual draining and/or steroid treatment to resolve.
Internal Parasites
Intestinal Parasites
Many worms can be classified as "intestinal parasites" meaning they mainly reside in the intestines of their host. The most common intestinal parasites found in pets include: roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and lungworms. Worms can be transmitted many ways, though many are transmitted through feces. Even though you do not see you pet ingesting feces, they could be sniffing an area that was previously contaminated and pick up some eggs on their nose or snout. They can then lick and ingest the ova and become infected. Other worms, such as tapeworms, are transmitted through fleas, rodents and birds. This is why regular deworming is recommended in pets who have recently had fleas, or who are avid hunters.
Coccidia/Giardia
Though not worms, coccidia and giardia are unicellular parasites that also reside in the intestines. Giardia is acquired through drinking or coming into contact with contaminated water or soil, where as Coccidia can also be acquired by contaminated soil, but also by ingesting an infected carrier of the parasite (ex. mouse). These parasites are VERY resilient and can remain in the environment for a very long time. Most pets infected with giardia or coccidia present with gastrointestinal symptoms, such as soft stools/diarrhea, blood in the stools, vomiting, and/or abdominal discomfort. Though these symptoms can seem mild at first, if not treated they can lead to serious complications and even death. There are no preventatives for either of these parasites, and an infection will always require laboratory testing and antibiotics to treat. It is important to note that Giardia can also be transmitted to humans, so when dealing with an infected pet, be sure to wash your hands very frequently and always pick up after your pet.
DID YOU KNOW?
Most puppies and kittens are born with roundworm transmitted from their mother.
Some worms are zoonotic; which means it can be passed on to humans!
​
​
Heartworm
Heartworm is a type of worm that lives in the heart, and is a very serious and life-threatening condition. These worms can only be transmitted through mosquito bites, and are more commonly seen in areas where it is very warm. However, with the recent movement of rescues from the South, we are seeing an increase in pets testing positive for heartworm. It is highly recommended to have your pet on heartworm preventatives, which can sometimes be found in your pet's routine parasite prevention. For more information on how you can prevent heartworm, please contact your veterinarian.
Deworming and Parasite Prevention
How frequently should I deworm my pet?
Regular deworming of all pets is an integral part of maintaining their general health. In a perfect world, one should deworm their pets once a month to prevent worms and other parasites to develop and reproduce inside the host's body, causing a parasitic infection. However, if one does not wish to deworm their pet monthly, they should be dewormed at least 4 times a year, at each change of season. The frequency of deworming, as well as the dewormer used, can also be based on the pet's lifestyle and location. Pets that spend a lot of time outside, avid hunters, and pets living in endemic areas should be dewormed much more frequently than a pet that stays indoors.
​
My pet never goes outside. Do I still need to deworm them?
Yes. While indoor-only pets are at a significantly lower risk of parasitic infections, they are not immune. Though typically found outdoors, worm eggs and larvae can find themselves inside our homes, through other insects, rodents, or even on the sole of our shoes. Your pet can then come into contact with these parasites and become infected if ingested. It is recommended to deworm these pets at least 1-2 times a year.
​
When should I start my pet's flea and tick prevention?
Flea and tick prevention should be given to your pet as soon as temperatures reach 0 degrees celcius, and should be continued monthly until temperatures drop below 0. It is also important to note that even though these pesky parasites aren't typically as active when the ground is frozen, they can still be found in areas that are shielded from the cold, such as under patio decks, in piles of dead grass/leaves, etc. If your pet is not on yearly flea and tick prevention, it is important to regularly screen them for these external parasites, as to avoid an infestation or other diseases transmitted by such insects.
​
​