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Pesky Parasites and Your Pet

Are you travelling this summer? Are you going camping? Are you using the trails in Red Deer? Does your dog go to Three Mile Bend or The Oxbow Off Leash Dog Park? If you answered yes to any of these questions your pet will require parasite prevention medication.

Here in Alberta we only have a handful of parasites but other provinces and the US have so much more. Let’s take a look at where these pesky parasites live.

NWT/Yukon/Nunavut: Ticks, Fleas

BC: Ticks, Fleas, Heartworm

AB: Ticks, Fleas

SK: Ticks, Fleas

MB: Ticks, Fleas, Heartworm (southern MB)

ON: Ticks, Fleas, Heartworm, Lungworm

QC: Ticks, Fleas, Heartworm, Lungworm

Atlantic Provinces: Ticks, Fleas, Heartworm, Lungworm

If you’re travelling to the US always mention where you’re going so your veterinarian can ensure you’re getting the right medications for the parasites in that area.

All provinces and the US have intestinal parasites which most dewormers prescribed by your veterinarian will kill.  Dewormers are usually broad spectrum but some only get certain parasites like fleas and ticks.

If you are staying in Red Deer fleas and ticks can linger around the dog parks, walking trails and heavily wooded or grassy areas surrounding Central Alberta.

Why do you want to protect your pet against these pesky parasites?

  • Ticks- carry Lyme disease
  • Fleas- make your pet uncomfortable and will bite you
  • Heartworm-is spread by mosquitoes and is fatal if left untreated
  • Lungworm-if not treated can cause lung infections and respiratory problems
  • Intestinal parasites- can cause your pet to vomit, have diarrhea, and can cause malnutrition

Parasite prevention is the best medicine! I am sure you do not want pesky parasites living in your house, on your family members or on you. Please contact Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital to talk about parasite prevention today.

 

Written by Taylor, RVT

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