Parasites, both internal and external, can have long term negative effects on your pet. Most parasite infections are preventable with the help of preventive medication. We highly recommend that pets take monthly preventative medication to ensure they’re protected against these pesky and harmful critters.

Which preventative medication should I choose?

The medication depends on which parasites are most likely to affect your pet, based on factors like their lifestyle and environment. Based on your pet’s risk factors, we might recommend topical or oral medication. These should be taken as prescribed to ensure your pet is safeguarded from parasites. A few medications might be combined so your pet receives the protection they need. Call our team at 519-624-9760 to book an appointment to discuss which prevention method works best for your pet.

What types of parasites can infect my pet?

Both internal and external parasites can be a threat to your pet’s health. Internal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms can cause serious damage to vital organs. Some parasites, if contracted early, can affect your pet’s growth and development. Others can be passed on to humans and are especially harmful to seniors, children, pregnant women, and others who are immune compromised. External parasites like fleas and ticks attach to the outside of your pet’s body and transmit harmful infections like Lyme disease.

When is my pet most at risk?

We recommend year-round prevention, based on the different life cycles of parasites. For example, ticks are more active at 4 degrees Celsiusand present through all seasons of the year, though most prevalent through early spring, summer and late fall. Ticks that carry Lyme disease can infect both furry friends and people, causing kidney damage, joint and neurological issues. These areas in Ontario are known to have Lyme positive ticks:

• Long Point Provincial Park on the northwest shore of Lake Erie
• Turkey Point Provincial Park on the northwest shore of Lake Erie
• Rondeau Provincial Park on the north shore of Lake Erie

Please note that there is the risk of pets picking up a tick carrying Lyme disease in most places in southern Ontario. Have a look at the Ontario Lyme Disease Map 2023 to see if your pets are at risk.