March 5, 2018, 10:06 AM
Warm Winter Weather=Parasite Problems
We have been seeing a number of pets with fleas already this year. Usually due to cold weather and the drying effect of in home heating we tend to see very few fleas until May or June. The warm weather is allowing dormant fleas and ticks to become active. Also with the warmer temperatures mosquitoes are active and feeding. These parasites not only cause skin irritations but also transmit diseases. We just diagnosed a case of heartworm disease in a dog this past week. This disease is transmited by the bite of a mosquito. Your dog or cat can be in their own yard minding their own business and an infected mosquito can fly into your yard and feed giving your dog or cat heartworms. Ticks feed on a number of hosts and drop off in between feedings therefore they have the potential to transmit a number of serious illnesses.
Heartworms live in the heart of the canine species (dog, coyote, fox, and wolf) and can also infect ferrets and cats. The presence of the worms in the heart and pulmonary artery leads to serious illness and often death. There is a treatment for dogs but not one for cats and ferrets. The treatment takes several months, requires lab testing and X-rays, enforced rest and costs about $1000.00. Even after treatment the occasional dog has some impaired health. The cost of one treatment equals the cost of five to ten years of prevention depending on patient size and type of prevention. Prevention is the key. As it said on the Pennzoil poster at the auto parts store "It is cheaper to change your oil than to change your engine".
We have several excellent products that are safe and effective. We help you determine which is the best product considering your pet's lifestyle. Every days as we progress closer to spring and through spring the risk gets worse. CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO PREVENT THESE PROBLEMS. (314)383-4677
