Parasite Prevention In Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria And Phoenix, AZ
One of the most unfortunate risks cats and dogs face is exposure to heartworm and other parasites. At Catalina Animal Hospital, LLC, we provide the most current products for flea & tick control, along with medications to prevent heartworm and intestinal parasites.
Book OnlineHeartworm is spread by mosquitoes and starts small but can gradually grow and cause major issues with your pet’s heart. Other intestinal parasites, such as tapeworms or hookworms, are also an important problem. External parasites like fleas and ticks are bad for your pet’s health too, so screening and proper medication are essential.
Why Is Parasite Prevention So Important?
Parasites can cause many diseases, some life-threatening. Signs of parasitism include diarrhea or soft stools, vomiting, lethargy, weight loss, poor coat, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Some parasites are zoonotic, meaning they can pass from pets to people — children are especially at risk since their hygiene habits aren’t fully developed. It’s important to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations on prevention.
Common Parasites in the Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria, and Phoenix Area
Ticks, heartworm, intestinal parasites, and less commonly fleas are all found in our area. Common intestinal parasites include hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, coccidia, and giardia. There are some parasites that may not be detected with fecal testing, so a general dewormer is a great way to rid your pet of potential infections. For new pets, puppies, or kittens, we recommend a deworming treatment followed by fecal testing to evaluate whether your new pet is parasite free.
How Do You Test For and Treat Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease is prevalent worldwide and is a serious, potentially fatal disease in dogs. A monthly chew or pill heartworm preventative is an easy and affordable way to prevent it. We can run a blood test in our office with results in as little as 10 minutes, recommended before starting monthly heartworm prevention and again yearly.
What Is a Fecal Test and Why Should It Be Done?
Yearly testing of your pet’s fecal sample is recommended to evaluate for possible infections with intestinal parasites. This “fecal float” or “fecal evaluation by centrifugation” looks for microscopic eggs that can’t be seen by the naked eye. Fecal testing is important both for prevention and if your pet shows clinical signs like diarrhea or vomiting.
What Is Flea/Tick Prevention?
These are once-monthly preventatives applied to the skin between the shoulder blades. They kill and prevent fleas and ticks, ridding the pet of pests and helping prevent diseases like Tick Fever that pests may carry. Learn more about ear mites, another common parasite issue we treat.
What Is Tick Fever and How Can It Be Detected?
Tick Fever is caused by a type of bacteria called Ehrlichia, spread by ticks found in our area. Dogs with tick fever can be listless, off food, and may have enlarged lymph nodes or a fever, though some dogs show no symptoms at all. Diagnosis is made through a simple blood test, and tick fever is typically treated with antibiotics.
Here are some helpful resources on parasite prevention: www.CAPC.org and www.americanheartwormsociety.org.
If you have any questions about our services, please contact us today at (602) 269-8969.
Parasite Prevention: Frequently Asked Questions
What parasites are most common in the Phoenix area?
Ticks, heartworm, and intestinal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, coccidia, and giardia are the most common in our area.
How often should my pet be tested for heartworm?
We recommend annual heartworm testing, with monthly prevention year-round after the first test.
What are the signs of a parasite infection?
Common signs include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, weight loss, poor coat condition, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Can parasites spread from my pet to me?
Yes, some parasites are zoonotic and can spread from pets to people, so prevention benefits your whole household.
How does flea and tick prevention work?
Most preventatives are applied monthly to the skin between the shoulder blades and kill or repel fleas and ticks before they cause harm.
Why is fecal testing recommended every year?
Fecal testing detects microscopic parasite eggs not visible to the naked eye, helping us catch infections early even without symptoms.
How do I start my pet on a parasite prevention plan?
Call Catalina Animal Hospital, LLC at (602) 269-8969 and our veterinarian will recommend the right prevention plan for your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors.
Protect Your Pet From Parasites
Ready to start a parasite prevention plan? Call Catalina Animal Hospital, LLC today at (602) 269-8969.
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