Parasite Prevention
Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes aren’t just a summer problem! Warming temperatures mean year-round prevention is key to making sure your pet is protected from these pests and the diseases they may carry. Don’t overlook the problems they can cause: fleas often trigger dermatitis, tapeworm, infection and hot spots; one tick bite can transmit dangerous diseases and mosquitoes carry potentially deadly heartworm.
Lyme disease from tick bites and heartworm from mosquitoes are on the rise around the country. Lyme disease is rarely fatal, but heartworm is more so because often there are no symptoms until the disease is well advanced. While there is a treatment for dogs, it can be expensive and very hard on your pet.
Prevention is always the best treatment! We carry many different types of flea, tick, and heartworm preventive and your Jamaica Plain Animal Clinic veterinarian can help you choose which one is right for your pet. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 617-524-7300.
According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, the incidence of heartworm across the country is up. As you may already know, potentially deadly heartworm is spread by mosquitoes, and it only takes one bite to infect a pet. Once infected, heartworm can do severe damage to a pet’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
Heartworm Prevention
Sadly, many animals don’t show symptoms until the disease is advanced. At that time, symptoms may include coughing, fatigue, weight loss and a swollen abdomen. While cats are much less likely to be susceptible to full-on heartworm infection, they can suffer from a heartworm-related respiratory condition that is very difficult to diagnose.
While there is heartworm treatment available for canines, it is expensive and can be very hard on your pet. There is currently no treatment for cats.
As always, the best treatment is prevention! Our veterinarians advise keeping your pet on heartworm preventive year-round. Be advised if your pet has not previously been on heartworm preventive, he or she will need a heartworm test before starting on one. Schedule an appointment online or call us at 617-524-7300.