Parasite Prevention & Control

Keeping your pet up to date with their parasite prevention treatments is an important part of pet ownership but also essential in keeping your household healthy.

Pets are regularly exposed to a variety of parasites whose effects can harm your pet and also yourself and your family. Fleas, ticks, mites, lungworm, tapeworms, roundworms and lice are all common parasites and regular treatment can help to keep their harm at bay.

Our nurse consultations are the perfect place to discuss parasite prevention and our nurses will also happily administer the appropriate medication for you. To book your pet in, please contact our reception team or use PetsApp.

Is it an emergency?

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01380 723687

Shocking facts about common pet parasites!

There have been extreme cases of certain roundworms found in dogs causing young children to turn blind and some tapeworms can cause cysts to develop in human body tissues.
Toxocara Canis, a roundworm found in dogs, can pass on millions of microscopic eggs daily through the host’s faeces. These eggs cannot be seen by the human eye but they can survive for months in the environment, meaning historic faeces can cause parasitic infection.
Fleas are capable of living off of their host animal – meaning that flea infestations of the house can be common and are difficult to manage!
Ticks are a common parasite that are often picked up from long grass and will attach themselves to your pet and suck their blood. They carry diseases, such as Lyme Disease, which can be harmful for both pets and humans.
Lungworm, if left untreated, can cause your pet to haemorrhage anywhere in their body, as these worms travel around the body in the blood stream. Common places are the lungs, liver, spinal cord, eyes and intestines.
Puppies are born with roundworm infestation, passed on from their mothers. This is why puppy parasitic treatment is an essential part of their healthcare.

Symptoms of parasitic infection

As there are a number of different parasites that can affect your pet, there are a wide variety of symptoms they can display if they are suffering. However, it is worth noting that it is not always possible to spot a parasite infection so regular treatments are the best way to manage the risk.

Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Swollen abdomen
Lethargy
Dehydration
Severe scratching and itching
Biting and chewing at skin
Hair loss
Scabs
Red, irritated skin
A loss of coordination in the hind legs (wobbly or not being able to get up) which may progress to paralysis
A change in voice
Retching, coughing or loss of appetite
Laboured breathing or rapid breathing

If you spot any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to call Estcourt Vets.

How do I treat my pet?

Chatting to our nursing team or vets during your pet’s consult is the best way to figure out a parasite preventative treatment plan that is tailored to your pet. Estcourt Vets will be able to advise on what products you should use and what they treat for. For example, over the counter products do not contain the medication needed to treat lungworm – you can only get medication of this strength under your vet’s prescription. We also advise on when and how you should treat your animal depending on their age and lifestyle.