No Parasites in the House, Please!

Aahhh summer! Barbecues, hikes, swimming, baseball, parasites and croquet. Wait! Which one of these doesn’t fit? Well, some might say croquet, but don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it! I think most eyebrows went up with the word “parasites.” Unfortunately, they are a part of our warmer months (and to a degree, all year ‘round) and something we need guard our pups against.

Outside playtime can result in an increased risk of parasites, but the good news is that parasites are preventable through preventative medications (and, of course, good hygiene). In fact, practicing parasite control in your dog is paramount for maintaining good general well-being in your furry family members—and actually, even those who aren’t of canine descent. Scarily, some parasites are zoonotic, meaning that they can be transferred from dog to human (Yikes!)—all the more reason to embark on, and stick to, a regular regimen of parasite control. NO parasites in the house, please!

There is a long list of offenders, some of which include fleas, ticks, lice, mosquitos, roundworms, tapeworms and heartworms. Many of these, especially if left untreated, can cause your dog to be deprived of vital nutrients, can shut down major bodily systems and damage heart and lungs, if ignored. They can even be deadly in the hardiest of dogs. Talk to your veterinarian about the best option to prevent parasites in your pup. These pests are most active in spring, summer and fall, so don’t delay in starting this regimen to help maintain good health in your pets and in your home. So...how to prevent parasites in dogs:

• Puppy Love, as well as several of our clients, recommend Simparica Trio—a preventative monthly pill that requires a prescription and has been very effective in our experience—not just for fleas, ticks, flies and mosquitoes, but for various types of worms as well. Get it on Chewy.com.

• A best seller on Amazon is K9 Advantix II. This over-the-counter topical treatment kills and repels five pests—fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, biting flies and lice. Be sure to order the right one based on the size of your pup: Small (4-10 lbs), Medium (11-20 lbs), Large (21-55 lbs), or Extra Large (55 lbs +).

• Also a best seller on Amazon is Frontline Plus. This is an over-the-counter topical treatment which kills fleas, ticks and lice. Again, be sure to buy the right one for your dog based on his or her weight: Small (5-22 lbs), Medium (23-44 lbs), Large (45-88 lbs) and Extra Large (89-132 lbs).

Parasite prevention is yet another way to show love to your doggies, and as we know, ‘there’s no love like puppy love!’