Pets bring joy and companionship to families and people all over the world. The same way you take care of yourself is the same way you should take care of your pet. Feeding, cleaning, and keeping your pet healthy is important. Pets are predisposed to parasites attacks due to their active outdoor lifestyle. Parasites cause discomfort and infections. They can lower the quality of life for your pets. Some of them can jump from pets to humans.
As a pet owner, you should be aware of how to detect parasite attacks on your pets. You should also have some remedies in case you see any signs. Here are insights on how to detect and deal with parasites in your pets.
Start With Prevention
Prevention is always cheaper and better than a cure. Take measures that prevent your pests from getting into contact with parasites. Start routine parasite prevention from when they are young. Consult with your vet and get a routine deworming and grooming program. Keep their food away from crawlers and rodents. Avoid leaving pet leftovers outside where parasites and other pests can get to them.
Keep their sleeping area clean and dry. You can use natural methods to get rid of fleas and ticks. Some herbal oils such as mint, eucalyptus, and tea tree help to repel fleas and ticks. Use them on your animals during summer when they are out and about in the tall grass.
Understand Parasites That Can Attack Your Pets
Learn to tell if your pet is under attack from parasites. Some parasites such as ticks and fleas are easy to spot with your eyes. Internal parasites need special attention to detect. Here are signs that your pet has internal parasites:
When you spot any of these signs, consult with your vet on the way forward. Avoid blanket parasite control if you have multiple pets. What works for one may not work for the other. If one pet is infected, you can quarantine them until they are done with treatment. This prevents the spread of parasites from infected pets to others and people as well.
Pesticides Are Better Handled by Professionals
The bee populations across the world have drastically gone down. Trigger happy people with aerosols and other pesticides have dumped so many unnecessary chemicals on animals. Consult with your vet to create a parasite regimen that is safe for both you and your pet. Experts know how to administer medication to pets without endangering them and the environment.
Keep Up With Your Routine Vet Checkups
Many people say that if it is not broken, don’t fix it. However, you do not have to wait until your pet is infected to take them to the vet. Schedule routine visits with the vet to have them checked and medicated. Keep up with preventive vaccines and regimens. Watch out for new pets who have contagious parasites. Keep up with quarantine announcements from animal control centers that inform you when there is an outbreak.
For more information on pest control, visit Goose Creek Veterinary Hospital at our offices in Ashburn, Virginia. You can also call 571-444-8600 to schedule an appointment for your pet.
