Spring in South Coast: Warm Weather and Parasite Prevention

‘Tis the season for melting snow, warming weather, and parasite prevention for pets. While prevention and control for Massachusetts fleas and ticks can be a year-round affair, as the weather warms, more parasites will emerge, creating dangerous situations for family pets. Fleas and ticks are more than just causes for itch and concern for your pet’s well-being, they can also bring disease and problems home to you and your family. One of the best seasonal pet tips in Massachusetts and Rhode Island this time of year is to get your pet on preventive treatment for parasites at a trusted veterinarian in South Coast.

Vet Care Since 1975

For nearly 50 years, Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth has been providing quality veterinary services for pet owners throughout the South Coast region. We advocate preventive treatments, including parasite prevention for pets, vaccinations, and annual check-ups, which help us to spot small issues before they become more significant or life-threatening situations. The more you can do for your pet throughout their life to prevent things like Rhode Island or Massachusetts fleas and ticks from impacting their health and daily lives, the more chance you have at providing them with a long and happy life. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and other domesticated animals all require certain treatments throughout their lives to keep them healthy and safe. You can trust our team to provide you with the services your pet needs at the ages and stages they need it the most.

Internal and external parasites can threaten the health of our pets and expose human family members to certain health risks, as well. The more you can learn about these threats – how, when, and where they occur – and what can be done about them, the easier it is to prevent them from affecting your pet and invading your home. We recommend regular testing of fresh stool samples at each wellness visit or whenever your pet is sick. We send out all of our stool samples to an outside lab for processing. For dogs, we test for coccidia, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. For cats, we test for coccidia, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and toxoplasmosis. Fleas and ticks can be detected with a visual inspection and can be controlled using preventive products designed for your pet’s lifestyle and exposure rate. Speak with a veterinarian in South Coast about professional products, as many over the counter products have become less effective over the years.

Heartworm Disease

While most people think about the risk posed to dogs concerning heartworm disease, it can actually impact cats, as well. Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, which become more and more prevalent this time of year and throughout the summer. Heartworm is very common across the United States, including right here in New England. Over the past few years, we have seen a significant increase in the risk to pets right here in the South Coast area. The good news is that this disease is 100 percent preventable by keeping your pets on year-round heartworm prevention and getting an annual lab test to check for exposure. This is crucial for both indoor and outdoor pets. Speak with your trusted veterinarian in South Coast to find out about preventive treatments for dogs – and cats.

Reducing the Risk for Parasites at Home

After getting your pets on preventive treatments for common internal and external parasites in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the next best thing you can do is to help control the risks at home to reduce the impact of these parasites in your local area. Pick up dog waste regularly, including when you take your dog for a neighborhood walk or to a dog park. Make sure backyard sandboxes are covered up and that you check play areas to ensure that wildlife and neighborhood animals do not contaminate the areas where children play. Use gloves when handling potting soil and loam while gardening or when handling raw meat in the kitchen. Limit barefoot walking outdoors and regularly check your pets and family members for fleas and ticks. Don’t allow your pets to drink out of puddles, ponds, or stagnant water, and speak with your local veterinarian about other things you can do about parasite prevention for pets and your home. Schedule an appointment with Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth by calling 508-996-3731 or using our online patient features.