Dogs and cats are not just pets. They are members of the family. And like any member of your family, it’s important to keep your pet healthy and free of parasites. It’s fairly common for a dog or cat to become infected with an internal or external parasite at some point in its lifetime. Parasites can affect your pet in a variety of ways, ranging from simple irritation to causing life-threatening conditions if left untreated. Some parasites can even infect and transmit diseases to you and your family. We can help prevent, accurately diagnose and safely treat parasites and other health problems that not only affect your dog or cat, but also the safety of you and your family.
What is a zoonotic disease?
Zoonoses, or zoonotic diseases, are those diseases that can be transmitted directly or indirectly from animals to humans. For example, some worms can be transmitted in the environment.
What is a vector-borne disease?
Vector-borne diseases are those transmitted by fleas or ticks among other parasites that infest dogs and cats. They can affect pets and people.
Ticks can transmit a large number of “vector-borne” diseases in North America including ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, relapsing fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
Responsible pet parasite control can reduce the risks associated with transmission of parasitic diseases from pets to people. By following a few simple guidelines, you can better protect your pets and family.
•Practice good personal hygiene.
•Use a preventative flea and/or tick treatment year-round.
•Only feed pets cooked or prepared food (not raw meat).
•Minimize exposure to high-traffic pet areas.
•Clean up pet feces regularly.
•Visit us for annual testing and physical examination.
•Administer worming medications as recommended.
•Ask about parasite infection risks and effective year-round preventative control measures