Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic Blog
Parasite Prevention for Pets
External parasites can cause major discomfort and occasionally serious potential health concerns for your pets. In order to properly protect your pet from these unwanted visitors, it is important to understand how parasites can affect your pet’s health. The team at Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic is here to help you determine how to keep your pets safe from a wide range of parasites.
Most Common External Pet Parasites
Even pets who mostly stay at home and don’t interact with other animals can be at risk for coming into contact with external parasites that can cause an array of health issues. Some of the most common parasites we see are:
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Ear mites
- Sarcoptic mange mites
- Demodectic mange mites
These parasites can cause issues such as itching and scratching, damage to blood vessels, skin infections, rashes, hair loss, red spots, and infections. They can also cause more serious diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. With the proper parasite prevention, you can avoid dealing with these pesky visitors and the troubles they bring.
Parasite Prevention for Your Pets
As soon as you adopt your pet, work with your veterinarian to determine the best kind of parasite prevention for your pet. We are no strangers to a host of parasites in Washington, and preventives are important for animals that spend any amount of time enjoying our lush landscapes. Consider the following kinds of prevention to keep your pets safe from these parasites:
- Give your pet monthly flea and tick preventives and follow the instructions on the package
- Perform regular coat checks for fleas and ticks after spending time outside
- Pay attention to your pet’s scratching behavior and let us know if it increases
- Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if you suspect your pet has a parasite issue
- If your pet does have parasites, work closely with your veterinarian to treat it
At Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic, we know how to handle itchiness in pets. We develop treatment protocols based on your pet’s specific needs and we always try to find a solution that meets your pet’s health condition and lifestyle. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, visit us online or call 425-742‑0342.