Walking your dog may be the bright spot of your day, especially when so many of us are sheltering in place. But remember, whether it’s to get away from your family or get your pet some much-needed exercise, spending time outdoors means an increased exposure to parasites.
These pests aren’t just annoying. Fleas can transmit tapeworm and cause anemia, while ticks are well-known carriers of Lyme disease, typhus and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Tick-borne diseases impact people too, another reason an effective tick repellant is critical to the health of your pet and your family. If your dog is on tick control, the ticks the dog encounters are killed, and they’re not in the home environment where they can transmit infection to your family or other pets.
Heartworm is another – and even graver – threat. Mosquitos, which are active all year in Texas, can transmit the deadly worms to pets through just one bite. In 2017, there were almost 30,000 heartworm cases in our state alone. Indoor pets are not immune, as 1 out of 4 cats diagnosed with heartworm disease are strictly indoor pets.
As the name suggests, heartworms live in the heart, and they can also thrive in the lungs and blood vessels. Because they constrict blood flow, they can damage internal organs and cause lung disease and heart failure.
Sadly, many animals don’t show symptoms until the disease is advanced, if at all. While there is treatment for canines, it is expensive and can be very hard on your dog. (There is no heartworm cure for cats.)
At Garden Oaks Veterinary Clinic, we know how important it is to protect your pet from parasites of all kinds. That’s why we carry wide array of preventatives in our clinic, including:
- Sentinel Spectrum for Heartworm.
- Bravecto, a 3-month chewable for fleas and ticks in dogs.
- And Introducing Bravecto Plus, a 2-month topical flea, tick, heartworm & intestinal parasite preventative for cats.
As you stock up on toilet paper and other supplies for your family, don’t forget to keep your pets prepared as well. Call us today at (713) 999-6095 to order parasite preventative for your furry friends. We’ll make sure you and your best friend can enjoy your extra-long walks in safety and comfort!
