All About Parasites

As a responsible pet owner, one of your main goals is to keep your pet healthy and happy. Every dog or cat, whether they are an indoor or outdoor pet can become the host to a number of parasites. It is not unusual for a pet to become infected with multiple types of external and internal parasites in their lifetime.

Fleas, heartworms, intestinal worms, and ear mites can cause severe discomfort and health problems to the infected pet. Fortunately, these parasites are easy to control, treat, and/or prevent.

Facts about Fleas

Besides the discomfort of flea bites, fleas can cause medical problems in pets including flea allergy dermatitis, which can lead to hair loss, skin inflammation and irritation. In large numbers, fleas can cause anemia from blood loss which can be fatal if your pet is young or feeble. Also, fleas are carriers of a common tapeworm, which can cause cramping and gas.

Dangers of Heartworm

Dogs and cats acquire heartworm infection through mosquito bites. Heartworm disease may cause a combination of medical problems within the same pet, including disease of the lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys. The worms are found in the right side of the heart and in the major vessels that bring blood to and from the right chambers, where they cause inflammation and interfere with blood flow. This can cause pulmonary embolisms (clots in the lungs) and congestive heart failure. It also can lead to liver or kidney failure. Death can be caused by one or a combination of these problems.

What are Intestinal Worms?

There are a number of intestinal worms that can infect dogs and cats including tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.

Did you know that one roundworm can produce more than 100,000 eggs per day? These eggs are then passed in the pet's feces and spread throughout the area the pet defecates. These eggs can present a health risk for both your pet and your family.

Five percent to 20 percent of children are infected by roundworms at some time in their lives.¹ Most of these infections are caused by exposure to a contaminated environment.

In most human cases, treatment is not necessary, but in some cases, serious health problems may occur. An untreated intestinal worm infection can be quite damaging to the health of your pet and present possible risks to your family.

Ear Mites

Ear mites are tiny crab-like parasites that, if left untreated, can cause irritation and inflammation, predisposing the pet to bacterial and yeast infections and, in extreme cases, rupture the ear drum leading to seizures and deafness.

Ear mites are a common cause of external-ear inflammation, especially in kittens and young cats. When a mite-infested cat constantly scratches its ear, it can tear open tiny blood vessels in the ear flap, which may lead to swelling and permanent disfigurement.

Prevention of External Parasite and Internal Worm Infections

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends year-round treatment with heartworm preventatives that have broad-spectrum activity against parasites with zoonotic potential (intestinal worms) and year-round flea preventatives. Advantage Multi^® for Cats (imidacloprid + moxidectin) Topical Solution and Advantage Multi^® for Dogs (imidacloprid + moxidectin) Topical Solution, the next generation of the Advantage® family from Bayer Animal Health, provide this recommended standard of care in one convenient topical application. Consult your veterinarian to create a total pet parasite protection program that's right for your pet.

¹Larry Glickman, Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine Perdue News, October 3, 2002

Indications and warnings for Dogs
Indications and warnings for Cats