Protecting your Pet Against Parasites
Parasites are defined as organisms that live on another mammal as a ‘host’, and feed off them as a source of nutrition.
There are several different types of parasite that can affect your dog, and once your dog is infected you and your family may be at risk too. Some parasites can cause significant disease in both humans and animals, which is why it is so important to ensure that your pet receives proper protection.
Parasites can be divided into two main groups. There are endoparasites, which live inside the host’s body – such as roundworms, tapeworms and lungworms – and ectoparasites, which live outside the body – such as fleas, ticks and mange.
Roundworms Toxocara and Toxascaris are particularly harmful to human health, and may occasionally cause blindness or possibly epilepsy in people. In addition the tapeworm Echinococcus, which is very common in Wales and Europe, can cause severe disease and even death.
For your pet dog, Angiostrongylus (lungworm) is often life threatening and mange or fleas can also cause significant distress. Additionally, ticks or sandflies are carriers of serious disease and are particularly prevalent if you take your pet abroad. As with many illnesses, the effects can be significantly more pronounced in very young or very old animals.
For dogs our standard recommendation is to use Advocate monthly. We also recommend using Drontal Plus or Droncit intermittently which both treat tapeworm, or Advantix which treats tick infestations.
Advocate is administered by placing drops of liquid on the skin on the back of your dog’s neck. If you find it difficult to apply, other tablet preparations are available to treat your dog – please talk to your vet about which one would best suit your dog.
The reasons for our recommendation are as follows:
- In dogs Advocate is the only product licensed to prevent and treat Angiostrongylus (lungworm) using monthly dosing.
- Advocate is one of only three products to control Sarcoptic mange (a parasite which burrows under the skin causing intense itchiness and severe skin disease)
- Advocate treats fleas, mange, ear mites, lice, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, lungworm and heartworm.
- Monthly treatment also helps to control the human health risk posed by roundworms.
Please feel free to contact us on 0208 300 8111 for more information about the most suitable parasite control programme for your dog, or discuss this with your vet at their annual health check.
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