Parasite Control & Prevention

You may not always see them but fleas, ticks, heartworm and other parasites are often in the shadows waiting for the perfect opportunity to make your pet their next host. They may be small in size, but they can cause gigantic medical complications in your pet such as Lyme disease, diarrhea, irreversible organ damage and more. Fortunately, with regular medication and disease screening your pet will have protection from these creatures. Call us at 613-695-2060 for more details.

What are signs that my pet has parasites?

The symptoms they may display will depend entirely on the kind of parasite that infected them. Heartworm may be asymptomatic (the pet may not show illness until it is severe). Once a large amount of heartworm have populated inside your pet, they may show symptoms such as coughing, fatigue and a potbelly. For this reason, testing helps save lives by catching disease early on. Ticks are usually difficult to spot but once they become engorged with your pet’s blood, they are easier to see with the naked eye. If you do not know how to properly remove a tick, please consult with our team. Fleas are more easily visible on light-haired pets. They usually look like black pepper. Excessive itching is also a warning sign of fleas.

Can people get parasites from their pets?

Absolutely. Lyme disease, worms, fleas and lice are just some of the conditions that can pass from pets to humans. This is why parasite protection is so important because it stops not only your pet, but you and other people around you from getting health issues.

Is it ok to skip parasite control medications in the winter?

Not at all. Missing one dose or falling behind on their medication schedule can leave your pet unprotected. Year-round protection is key as many parasites survive and reproduce even in the colder months. Did you know ticks become active in temperatures as low as 3 to 5°C? Even if your loyal companion is an indoor pet, they can still be exposed to pests that can enter your home.