Preventative healthcare - preventing worms?
Preventative healthcare is exactly that. As owners there are many things we can do to keep our pets in good health and prevent them from becoming ill. This can mean choosing the right diet for each individual pet and ensuring they receive the right amount and type of exercise to vaccinating every year and regularly treating against internal and external parasites. Basically that’s fleas, ticks and worms!
Preventative healthcare is exactly that. As owners there are many things we can do to keep our pets in good health and prevent them from becoming ill. This can mean choosing the right diet for each individual pet and ensuring they receive the right amount and type of exercise to vaccinating every year and regularly treating against internal and external parasites. Basically that’s fleas, ticks and worms!
Regularly worming your dog or cat couldn’t be more important - for the health of your pet, your families health and the health of other pets and members of the public.
How does my pet get worms?
There are several ways a pet can get worms: from an infected animal, by eating contaminated soil or grass, from eating raw meat such as infected prey animals or by ingesting infected parasites, e.g. fleas when grooming.
Is there any way of knowing if my pet is infected with worms?
It is difficult to recognise a worm infection as many pets don’t show any outward signs. This is why having a worm control program advised by us is important. When used at the right intervals with a veterinary strength worming medication, we can help protect your pet.
If you do spot worms it is likely to be in your pet’s faeces, vomit or around their bottom. If you see any then ring us, as you and your pet are at risk and they need to be wormed.
Pets with worm burdens can start to loose weight, they loose their coat condition, have an increased appetite, develop diarrhoea and can become lethargic and weak.
Worms are not age discriminate – they can effect dogs and cats of all ages. They can even effect unborn puppies and kittens of pregnant bitches and queens. So a worm control program needs to be followed even during pregnancy, to prevent the unborn animals from being infected.
In severe cases puppies and kittens can have a distended tummy or ‘pot belly’. This is not necessarily because they are cute, cuddly and well fed – it is far more likely they have a heavy worm burden which is putting their life at risk. This needs treatment.
Can I stop my pet from getting worms?
The simple answer is yes! Most dogs and cats will need worming monthly. Treating your pet with an effective veterinary strength wormer is crucial.
There are a number on the market, so to avoid confusion and make sure you are choosing the right one for your individual pet, ring us on 01376 325511.
Worming treatment forms part of your pet's Millennium Health Package plan, click here for more information.
Follow these steps to keep your pet clear of worms:
* Follow our worm program designed for your pet.
* Ensure all the dogs and cats in your family are wormed.
* Puppies and Kittens need treatment against roundworm from an early age and adults against roundworm and tapeworm.
* We can advise you on worming treatment for other worm parasites that can effect dogs and cats, such as hookworm, whipworm, lungworm and heartworm.
* Pregnant dogs and cats need their own worming program
* Tapeworm eggs are carried by fleas, make sure your pets have regular veterinary strength flea treatment.
* Wash your pets bedding and disinfect your pet's food and water bowls regularly.
* Have separate bowls, dishes and utensils for your pet which are not used by their human family!
* Make sure all HUMANS in your household, especially children, wash their hands before eating
* ALWAYS clean up after your pet and dispose of their faeces carefully.
* Follow our worm program designed for your pet.
* Ensure all the dogs and cats in your family are wormed.
* Puppies and Kittens need treatment against roundworm from an early age and adults against roundworm and tapeworm.
* We can advise you on worming treatment for other worm parasites that can effect dogs and cats, such as hookworm, whipworm, lungworm and heartworm.
* Pregnant dogs and cats need their own worming program
* Tapeworm eggs are carried by fleas, make sure your pets have regular veterinary strength flea treatment.
* Wash your pets bedding and disinfect your pet's food and water bowls regularly.
* Have separate bowls, dishes and utensils for your pet which are not used by their human family!
* Make sure all HUMANS in your household, especially children, wash their hands before eating
* ALWAYS clean up after your pet and dispose of their faeces carefully.
For further information please call us on 01376 325511 or click here to find out more about our awareness campaign, you can also pick up a freebee for your pet!