At Fort Hunt Animal Hospital, we believe that preventative care is preferable to treating disease after it has already occurred. This is why we offer numerous parasite prevention services to keep your pets safe from fleas, ticks, worms, and more. Parasites are also able to travel through those pests in the form of blood consumed from hosts, through pest digestive systems, and at the cellular level or bacterial level. While incredibly small, the diseases and conditions caused by parasites can be fatal if left untreated.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
Fleas are usually identified by uncontrolled itching. Their saliva is injected when biting the host, irritating the site of the bite. Fleas are a threat because they introduce bacteria and viruses through bites. The bite itself can also become infected.
Ticks are generally worse. This species likes to burrow into a host and continue feeding. They are also a well-known transmitter of pathogens and disease. Lyme disease is a serious condition transferred via tick infestation. Ticks can also create allergies in pets too, which is another significant problem.
Heartworm is a parasite transferred to pets via mosquitos. Heartworm disease is often fatal if left unaddressed. While there are heartworm treatment options available, our veterinarian prefers to use medication to prevent your pet from suffering from heartworm infestation in the first place.
Tapeworms and similar parasites pass through into pets by what they might eat outside in uncontrolled environments. Once internal, the parasite will continue to feed on the pet until purged by a veterinarian.
Contact our Veterinarian in Alexandria for Preventative Care Services
Our team at Fort Hunt Animal Hospital can help you keep your pet safe. Regular monitoring with pest and parasite prevention treatment on a regular schedule can help your dog or cat healthy year-round. Our veterinarian will perform a thorough inspection to determine if your pet is dealing with fleas, ticks, or other parasites and provide treatment accordingly. Working with our veterinarian will allow your pet to recovery from parasite infestation and prevent it from occurring again in the future. For more information on parasite prevention or to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian, call us today at (703) 360-6100.
