Parasite Control & Prevention

Parasites are pesky critters that inhabit our pets. Imagine the type of house guest that constantly depletes you of your energy and nutrients. Sounds awful, right? That’s why it’s important to use parasite control so your pet doesn’t have to deal with unwelcome house invaders. Our veterinary team will recommend various parasite control measures that meet your pet’s needs, based on how likely they are to get infected by certain parasites from their environment.

My pet is usually indoors. Do they still need parasite control?

Indoor pets are no match for parasites. They are not immune to worms, fleas and ticks. Even indoor cats can still get infections from their unclean litter box where feces aren’t cleaned out regularly. Remember parasites can also use pets as transportation to infect you and your family. It’s important to get your pet on a year-round parasite control program so your entire family is protected from parasites in their environment. Especially for younger furry friends, aim to set one up sooner than later. Depending on your pet’s age and risk level, we might recommend a more frequent dosage of preventives. Please connect with our veterinary team if your pet doesn’t have a parasite prevention plan at 403-335-3519.

What types of parasite control are there?

Parasite control methods are available in a range of products, based on what best suits your pet’s needs. There’s a wide range of veterinarian-approved preventives we’ll recommend for your pet. We highly discourage the use of home remedies because they are often less effective and can even have harmful ingredients. Always consult our team before giving any home remedies or over-the-counter medications to your pet.

Besides medication, can I do anything else to protect my pet and family from parasites?

The key to protecting your pet and family is practicing good hygiene and cleaning methods. Some of these include:

• Washing your hands frequently after interacting with your pet
• Grooming your pet regularly to ensure their fur/hair is well-maintained
• Cleaning up your pet’s feces, whether on walks or in the litter box
• Feeding your pet a well-balanced diet to ensure they have a healthy immune system
• Decluttering your yard so it doesn’t attract parasite carriers like raccoons
• Watching your pet while outside so they don’t interact with other animals’ feces