Flea, Tick & Heartworm Prevention

They call them parasites for a reason. By definition, they survive at the expense of a host. In this case, the parasites are fleas, ticks, and heartworms. The host is your beloved pet.

Meriden and Wallingford

Given the climate and landscape of our region, fleas, ticks, and heartworm issues are very common and need to be diligently managed. No matter if your pet is a dog or a cat, or lives indoors or outdoors, he or she is at risk. Failing to protect your pet can have some potentially tragic results.

Fleas

At their mildest, flea bites can cause your pet, and you, discomfort in the form of itching. Unfortunately for some pets and humans, there can also be an allergic reaction to the flea’s saliva, resulting in a rash. At their worst, however, fleas can transmit both bacterial and viral diseases.

Ticks

Classified as arachnids, ticks flourish in the Meriden and Wallingford areas. Satisfying their nutritional needs on a diet of blood, ticks can transfer from pets to humans. While they have the potential to carry many different diseases, the one that affects our area the most is Lyme disease. Early symptoms include fever, lameness, fatigue, and depression. Left untreated, it can affect the joints, heart, central nervous system, and kidneys. At Meriden and Wallingford Veterinary Associates, we recommend a regimen of year-round flea and tick control.

Another issue facing pets of the Meriden and Wallingford areas is leptospirosis, a bacterial disease carried by wildlife through their urine and feces. The result is a liver and kidney infection that can be fatal, as well as be transferred to humans. Early symptoms can include vomiting, depression, and yellow eye membranes.

Heartworm

A parasite that resides in the lung arteries, heartworm is carried by mosquitoes and can affect both dogs and cats. Early symptoms include a cough and exhaustion. Left untreated, heartworms can ultimately result in congestive heart failure.

As you can see, it is highly important for you as a pet owner to stay on top of these issues. No matter if you have a puppy or kitten, an adult pet, or senior pet, regular checkups and year-round flea and tick control are a must for keeping your pet healthy and happy. For more information on these subjects, or to make an appointment for your pet, please contact us today.