Posts in Category: Fleas Ticks & Heartworm

Even folks that don’t consider themselves “outdoorsy” find themselves under the great big blue sky every once in a while. One drawback to the natural world is our vulnerability to bugs. While we can swat at flies or run away from wasps, ticks lie in wait for us to simply walk by their perch. Unlike leaping fleas or hovering mosquitoes, ticks hide themselves well and are extremely patient for their next blood meal to arrive. 

The overlapping space between wildlife and people makes it easier for ticks to thrive. These parasites can’t fly; instead, they proliferate in overgrown grass and shrubbery simply waiting for new hosts to come by. Feasting on the blood of various mammals, birds, and reptiles, ticks are super hardy and here to stay. Dog owners can do a lot to reduce the risks of vector-borne illness, making tick prevention for dogs a high priority. 

There is a good reason that parasites are lumped together: they’re all bad! Fleas, ticks, and heartworm-carrying mosquitos are responsible for a great deal of animal suffering. In addition to painfully itchy skin, secondary infections, and more, these pesky parasites can also spread disease. Of the most well-known vector-borne illnesses, Lyme disease is a serious threat to animal (and human) welfare. As such, tick prevention for cats is an important priority. 

Each spring, most pet owners turn their attention to the warmer weather, opportunity for outdoor reaction, and, of course, those nasty parasites that truly bug us. These fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are the bane of most of our outdoor fun. These parasites also bother our pets, so it’s no doubt that the responsible pet owner will maintain parasite preventives to reduce their risk of vector-borne disease.

But what about those other parasitic pests that can harm pets? There are actually a few lesser known parasites that cause health problems for our four-leggeds, and sometimes for us, too.

Read on as the team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital explains other parasites that can harm your pet.

Parasites are an unfortunate topic, but a necessary one if we are to keep our pets parasite free. Tapeworms in cats and dogs are common, but luckily easy to prevent. Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital has the skinny on these nasty parasites, including how to get rid of them once and for all. 

What Are Tapeworms in Cats and Dogs?

Tapeworms in cats and dogs are parasites that set up shop in the intestinal tract. The worms are flat and segmented with a head that attaches to the intestinal wall. Several species of tapeworms can affect pets but by far the most common is Dipylidium caninum. 

An adult tapeworm can reach 6 inches in length and has the appearance of a white piece of tape or ribbon. Tapeworm segments detach from the worm and are shed in your pet’s feces. Once in the environment, the tapeworm segments break apart, releasing the eggs, which eventually become tapeworm larvae.

For much of the year in San Antonio, mosquitos are an unfortunate part of life thanks to our humid summers and mild winters. Besides being annoying to both people and pets, mosquitoes can also transmit a variety of diseases, such as West Nile virus and Zika virus. Since there are no vaccines or cures for these illnesses, protecting your pets and family from mosquitoes is critical.

However, while keeping bugs at bay is important, dousing your property with harsh chemicals can be dangerous, especially when you have pets. Fortunately, a little bit of creativity and elbow grease is all you need to accomplish pet safe mosquito control. Continue…

Parasites are a fact of life and they can range from annoying (fleas) to deadly (heartworm), and everything in between. These tiny creatures can create a world of misery for both pets and their owners, making pet parasite prevention a vitally important part of your pet care plan.

As with any aspect of your pet’s well-being, it’s important to do your research and figure out what will work best for your pet, and you. Here are a few things you may not know about pet parasite prevention.

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The term “zoonotic” is something you might have heard before, as more cases of zoonotic illnesses have been reported over the past decade. Probably the most well known zoonotic illness is rabies. More recently, the spread of leptospirosis has garnered the attention of pet owners and has put a spotlight on illnesses that can be spread from pets to people.

Because zoonotic illnesses are something that will never be totally eradicated, it’s important to understand what these diseases are and how you can protect you and your family members, including your four-legged ones.

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We could all do a lot with an extra thousand bucks, right? A week-long inclusive vacation, season tickets to the Spurs, or new kitchen cabinets might round out the list of possible options. However, in the case of an unfortunate diagnosis of heartworm disease in your pet, that little nest egg could be applied to the cost of treatment.

Heartworm prevention isn’t free either, but when you consider the entire annual cost is about $200, the difference between prevention and treatment is clear.

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Although Lyme disease is no stranger to the limelight, this vector-borne illness remains abstract to millions of people and their pets. If you’ve neither seen a tick before or experienced Lyme disease first hand, this topic may be somewhat mysterious. However, in a relatively small window (approximately 1-2 days), mystery can morph into full-blown misery for a pet bitten by an infected tick.

Because Lyme disease can harm both pets and people, prevention is vital. That’s why our team has gathered the following information about Lyme disease in pets. Continue…