Parasite Prevention FAQs

Part of pet care is parasite prevention. There are some questions you will want to ask your veterinarian so you can make sure your pet is getting the best veterinary care. Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital wants you to know some facts about parasite prevention and the importance it plays in your pet’s health.

How Do You Know if Your Pet Has Parasites Already?

The human eye can see certain parasites, such as ticks or fleas. While fleas are tiny, there are dark specks left behind on the pet’s skin and fur. Flea bites can cause pets to bite and scratch. Intestinal parasites and heartworms need to be properly diagnosed with different tests run by a veterinarian. Some signs to look for include coughing, labored breathing, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What Are the Health Risks with Parasites?

Parasite prevention is important because parasites can cause health problems. Allergic reactions to a flea bite can trigger chewing and scratching that leads to skin infections. Ticks and fleas spread diseases, including Lyme disease. Heartworms can even be fatal if left untreated.

What Parasite Prevention Is Best for Your Pet?

Our veterinary clinic will have some specific advice regarding the best product for your pet. The advice will depend on your pet’s lifestyle, breed, and any medical conditions. Be sure to discuss any travel plans you have with our veterinarian since this may change your parasite prevention plan. Not one single product will be best for every cat or dog. Every pet will need to be protected from heartworms throughout the year, but a broad-spectrum product may be best for some pets.

How Do You Use Preventative Medications?

In most cases, all that is necessary is to follow the instructions on the label of the medicine that our vet recommends. However, there are times when our veterinarian may give alternate dosing based on your pet’s specific needs. For example, some flea preventative medicines may be used to treat certain parasites but that medication will need to be given more often.

Local Parasite Prevention

Call Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital at (626) 357-2251 to make sure your pet is getting the right parasite prevention medicine. Our veterinarian is here to help keep your furry friend happy and healthy for years to come.