Parasite Control
Parasites
at a Glance 
CDC
Parasite Disease Information
Preventing intestinal parasites is not only important for your pet, it is vital for your family's safety as well. Several intestinal parasites of dogs and cats can cause disease in humans. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that one to three million people in the United States are infected with Toxocara larva (roundworms) each year. The CDC also reports that 36% of dogs tested nationwide harbored parasites capable of causing human disease.
Puppies and Kittens
Puppies and kittens should be dewormed at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks of age and then monthly for the rest of their lives. The mother should be dewormed along with their puppies or kittens while they are living at home. At 8 weeks (or first visit) we will administer an additional dewormer called Revolution® [http://www.revolutionpet.com/default.html].
Puppies and kittens receive numerous deworming treatments because:
- They are often reinfected via nursing and from the environment.
- They often harbor parasite larvae in migration that later mature and lay eggs.
- Intestinal parasite infection in puppies and kittens may cause serious illness or even death.
- Nursing mothers should be treated with their babies since they often get worms at the same time.
Dogs
Dogs should receive Heartgard Plus® once a month and will not need additional deworming unless worms are noticed. However, if it hasn't received the initial set of deworming, they should receive at least one Strongid® T dose before starting Heartgard Plus®.
It's a good idea to give Heartgard Plus® year-round because [link to Heartgard document]:
- Mosquitoes can overwinter in you home and transmit heartworms.
- Pets may travel to regions where transmission is active.
- Dogs and cats may be exposed to and become infested with roundworms throughout the year.
Cats
Cats that are strictly indoors (i.e. they never go outside at all) and who are not exposed to other cats that do go outside, don't need to be dewormed annually if it has already gone through the initial kitten deworming process. Cats that go outside should be dewormed monthly for the same reasons listed above for dogs.
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