Parasite control is an important part of preventive care for your pet. Parasites like fleas, ticks, roundworms, and heartworms can be easy to prevent but if infected, can cause serious illnesses and even death in pets.

For example, fleas can transmit tapeworm, and ticks can transmit Lyme disease. Heartworms are caused by an infected mosquito biting your pet, leading to worms that live in your pet’s lungs and heart, causing serious damage to these organs. Some diseases are zoonotic – meaning that they are transmittable to humans – such as roundworms and hookworms, and can be diagnosed with a simple fecal test. The veterinarians and staff at Seven Oaks Pet Hospital promote preventive medicine, as it can easily save the life of your pet.

If your pet is infected with a parasite, you may be able to see the parasites, but in some cases, you may not notice until your pet begins to show clinical signs such as diarrhea, hair loss, or lethargy. In other cases, your pet may not show any signs of illness at all.

Fortunately, there are many preventive medications available for parasites, and the veterinarians and staff at Seven Oaks Pet Hospital are here to prescribe or recommend medications available to protect your pets and family. Our diagnostics are also available at annual examinations or as part of our wellness plans, in order to detect these parasites, preventing additional problems or pain for your pet. Call us at 813-929-4100 to find out more about preventive medicine for your pet.