Whether it be by chance exposure or unfortunate infection from their mother early in the course of life, parasitism can be devastating to both dogs and cats. Once infected with blood borne or gastrointestinal parasites an array of minor or severe disease processes can occur. On occasion the parasites have the potential to be transmissible to humans with children and the elderly often being the unfortunate recipients. Indoor and outdoor pets are susceptible to parasite infection so parasite prevention is recommended for all pets.
At Andover Veterinary Clinic we strongly recommend parasite prevention and early diagnosis by encouraging annual fecal analysis and blood testing. To help control gastrointestinal parasites (roundworms and hookworms) we adhere to the guidelines established by the Companion Animal Parasite Council (www.capcvet.org). Routine deworming of puppies and kittens should occur staring at 2 weeks of age and be repeated every 2 weeks until they can be placed on a monthly preventative (approximately 8 weeks of age). Fecal analysis should be performed 2-4 times within the first year of your pets’ life and then 1-2 times per year thereafter. In addition to fecal analysis, routine deworming, and monthly preventative, feces should be removed from the litterbox or environment and discarded in an appropriate disposable container. Fecal evaluation assists us diagnosing parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and giardia and start appropriate therapy to eliminate the parasitic disease.
Without annual blood testing, blood borne parasites often go undiagnosed until severe illness has occurred. Indoor and outdoor cats as well as all dogs are equally at risk in being exposed to heartworm disease. While the prevalence rate for disease in cats is less than that in dogs, there are no labelled treatment options for infected cats. Once infected with heartworms, severe heart and lung disease can occur which can result in chronic lung issues and even death. In both cats and dogs its better for your pet to prevent heartworm disease than provide supportive care or treat the disease respectively.
In addition to testing for heartworm, other blood borne diseases are tested for annually. In cats our blood test also screens for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus which can result in cancer or other serious illness. Our canine blood heartworm test also screens for blood borne disease transmitted by ticks such as ehrlichia, anaplasmosis, and lymes disease. In dogs these blood diseases can cause damage to red blood cells and platelets and even joint problems.
Unfortunately pet owners often believe that if common symptoms such as diarrhea, lethargy, and breathing issues aren’t noticed than parasitic disease is not present. Through annual fecal analysis, blood testing, flea and tick prevention, and heartworm preventative, multiple detrimental diseases are avoided and the quality of life of your pet improved.
At Andover Veterinary Clinic we strongly recommend parasite prevention and early diagnosis by encouraging annual fecal analysis and blood testing. To help control gastrointestinal parasites (roundworms and hookworms) we adhere to the guidelines established by the Companion Animal Parasite Council (www.capcvet.org). Routine deworming of puppies and kittens should occur staring at 2 weeks of age and be repeated every 2 weeks until they can be placed on a monthly preventative (approximately 8 weeks of age). Fecal analysis should be performed 2-4 times within the first year of your pets’ life and then 1-2 times per year thereafter. In addition to fecal analysis, routine deworming, and monthly preventative, feces should be removed from the litterbox or environment and discarded in an appropriate disposable container. Fecal evaluation assists us diagnosing parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and giardia and start appropriate therapy to eliminate the parasitic disease.
Without annual blood testing, blood borne parasites often go undiagnosed until severe illness has occurred. Indoor and outdoor cats as well as all dogs are equally at risk in being exposed to heartworm disease. While the prevalence rate for disease in cats is less than that in dogs, there are no labelled treatment options for infected cats. Once infected with heartworms, severe heart and lung disease can occur which can result in chronic lung issues and even death. In both cats and dogs its better for your pet to prevent heartworm disease than provide supportive care or treat the disease respectively.
In addition to testing for heartworm, other blood borne diseases are tested for annually. In cats our blood test also screens for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus which can result in cancer or other serious illness. Our canine blood heartworm test also screens for blood borne disease transmitted by ticks such as ehrlichia, anaplasmosis, and lymes disease. In dogs these blood diseases can cause damage to red blood cells and platelets and even joint problems.
Unfortunately pet owners often believe that if common symptoms such as diarrhea, lethargy, and breathing issues aren’t noticed than parasitic disease is not present. Through annual fecal analysis, blood testing, flea and tick prevention, and heartworm preventative, multiple detrimental diseases are avoided and the quality of life of your pet improved.