In Florida, especially, parasite prevention is paramount to having a healthy pet. Most intestinal parasites are not visible in the stool so a special fecal test and microscopic exam is needed to diagnose intestinal parasites. Treatment needs to be thorough and prevention is just as important to do after treatment or else your pet will become reinfected in most cases.
Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and dogs can develop more and more heartworms with each mosquito bite. They grow up to a foot long and live in the heart and pulmonary blood vessels. They are easily prevented and diagnosed. Some dogs are diagnosed with heartworm disease before they show symptoms, while others present to us with heart failure and are very critical. Certainly, this is a disease that is much better to prevent than to have to treat. *Please note that heartworm prevention is to be given monthly and for the life of your pet.
Fleas are not just a nuisance but disease-transmitting, anemia-causing parasites. Monthly prescription flea control products are very effective at treating fleas. They are a must for dogs with flea allergies and environmental allergies. *Please note that we recommend flea and tick prevention is to be given monthly and for the life of your pet.
Prevention is the best method of keeping your pets safe from parasites. All pets should receive parasite prevention year-round.
Some of the available products to provide parasite prevention in dogs and cats are:
Proheart12 – ProHeart12 is an extended-release injectable drug designed to prevent heartworm in dogs for 12 months. It also prevents and treats hookworm infections.
Heartgard Plus – Prevent heartworm disease with HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel). Given monthly, it comes in a beef-flavored chewable tablet. HEARTGARD® Plus kills developing heartworms introduced to your pet in the last 30 days, plus it treats and controls roundworms and hookworms.
Simparica Trio – Simparica Trio is a monthly chewable to protect dogs against heartworm disease, five types of ticks, fleas, roundworms and hookworms, all in one monthly chewable.
Nexgard Plus – NexGard® PLUS is a monthly beef-flavored, chewable tablet used to protect dogs from fleas, ticks, heartworm disease, roundworms, and hookworms.
Nexgard Combo – NexGard® COMBO (esafoxolaner, eprinomectin, and praziquantel topical solution) is the first and only broad-spectrum parasiticide for felines that protects against fleas and ticks, prevents heartworm disease, and treats and controls roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.
Revolution – Revolution® (Selamectin) is a safe and simple monthly topical medication used to protect your dog or cat from heartworms, fleas, and ear mites. Revolution® (Selamectin) is also used on dogs for the treatment or prevention of fleas, the American Dog Tick, ear mites, and canine sarcoptic mange. When used on cats it is also used to treat or prevent fleas, ear mites, hookworms, and roundworms.
Advantage Multi – Advantage Multi® protects your pets from not only fleas and heartworm but also intestinal worms — all in one easy, monthly prescription topical.
Nexgard – NexGard is a monthly beef-flavored chew that provides flea, tick, and mite protection for dogs.
Bravecto – BRAVECTO® is a 12-week flea and tick protection, available as a tasty chew for dogs and an easy-to-apply topical solution for cats.