Parasite Prevention

Parasites such as ticks, fleas, and internal parasites can cause serious illness and even death in pets. Ticks can transmit infections like Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis, and fleas can transmit tapeworms and Bartonella – the bacteria that causes “cat-scratch fever” in humans.  Heartworms, transmitted by mosquitoes, live in your pet’s lungs and heart, causing damage to these organs, and sometimes even death.  Intestinal parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, also threaten pets and are even transmissible to humans.

You may not always be able to tell if your pet has parasites.  Fleas can hide under your pet’s fur, and some ticks are very tiny (only the size of a pinhead), so they are very difficult to find.  Intestinal parasites like roundworms can cause diarrhea and other problems, but many infected pets don’t show any signs of illness at all.

Fortunately, we can recommend tests to tell if your pet has parasites.  We can also examine your pet for evidence of fleas, ticks, or other parasites. Our veterinary staff can recommend medications to help control fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites.  Preventing parasites in your pets also helps protect children and other family members.

Prevention is always the best treatment! We carry many different types of flea, tick and heartworm preventive and your Columbus Countryside Veterinary Clinic veterinarian can help you choose which one is right for your pet. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 920-623-3366.