Parasite Control

Parasite Control

Parasite control involves the use of a combination of antiparasitic medications to prevent the discomfort and infestation of a number of internal and external potentially harmful organisms in dogs, cats and rabbits.

Most of the products we use are prescription only veterinary treatments and therefore cannot be dispensed to clients not under our care.  If your pet is not registered with us or has not been seen for 12 months, we provide free flea and worming checks by appointment.

There are 5 main dog and cat parasites in the UK:

Lungworm:  This parasite is now common in the UK. Dogs get lungworm by eating a slug or snail or licking their trails.  Lungworm is dangerous in dogs as it causes severe coughing, clotting problems, bleeding, and, if left untreated, death.

Intestinal worms:  Roundworms and hookworms are very common and are found in soil.  In dogs and cats, they can cause diarrhoea.  Humans (especially children) can be affected by these worms, sometimes severely with infection in the eyes, lungs, or liver.

Fleas:  Fleas are present on other animals as well as outside in the grass, especially moist areas.  Some dogs and cats are allergic to flea bites, so even one bite from a flea can cause an allergic reaction.  Fleas can bite humans causing extreme irritation.  Fleas lay eggs that can persist in your house for years so an infestation can be difficult to get rid of.

Ticks:  Ticks are present in the UK but especially the countryside or anywhere wooded.  Ticks can transmit severe diseases in dogs such as Lyme Disease or Babesia. Ticks can also bite people and cause debilitating illness. Cats can also be infested by ticks.

Tapeworms:  Dogs and cats generally acquire tapeworm from ingesting fleas, raw meat or rodents.

Puppies and kittens often acquire parasite infections from their mum and as such it is recommended that they are treated for worms and fleas early in life and continue to do so at intervals recommended by vets.

Where possible we encourage the use of tablets to control parasites. This is because it significantly reduces any environmental damage to ponds, streams and rivers compared to the use of spot-on medications.