Did you know that your pets are at risk of contracting parasitic infections if they go outdoors?
Parasites can infect pets like heartworms and intestinal worms if they go outside without your supervision. This happens by either swallowing, inhaling, or having their skin contact the parasite.
As a loving cat or dog owner, you should be aware of these potential dangers and take your pets for regular vaccine shots. Visit this website to learn more about comprehensive care for your pets and dogs.
What Are Parasites?
Parasites are organisms that live from other animals. They survive by feeding on their hosts, weakening the host’s immune system, leading to death. In an outdoor environment, pets are at risk of getting parasites from ingesting or inhaling organisms such as:
- Heartworms – a type of roundworm that lives in your pet’s heart and blood vessels. It is a serious infection that can cause life-threatening heart failure if left untreated.
- Intestinal worms – a type of parasite that causes intestinal upset and disease when swallowed into the bloodstream through infected stool. The most common intestinal worm is hookworm. Hookworm infections in people can cause blindness if it goes undetected for years.
- Ticks and fleas – parasites that attach themselves to a pet’s body and drink blood. Ticks carry many diseases like Lyme disease. Fleas can cause anemia in pets if they bite too much.
Make sure to research or ask your vet to learn more about parasites and pet vaccinations. Keep in mind that a well-informed pet owner has a healthy and happy pet.
Signs and Symptoms of Parasitic Infection
Even if you keep your pet indoors all day, they are still at risk of contracting parasites. Pets can scratch or chew irritated skin due to the presence of ticks and fleas. Intestinal worms have similar symptoms, which include:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Stomach pain
- Dehydration
- Lethargy or fatigue
- Behavioral changes
What Do Pet Vaccinations Do?
While vaccinations cannot completely eliminate parasites, pets can still be protected against parasitic infections through regular shots. Most vaccines require cleaning your pet before administering the vaccine to ensure they are free from external parasites like fleas, ticks, or lice (e.g., using a special shampoo) and prevent future re-infection by deworming your pet.
Vaccines work by making the immune system identify antigens to mount an appropriate immune response upon exposure. Antigens are proteins found on the parasites’ surface that trigger an immune response.
Not all vaccines work the same, and not all pets should be vaccinated against certain types of parasitic infections. For example, heartworm disease is more common in outdoor pets living in warm climates where mosquitoes thrive year-round and carry the disease.
To avoid parasites like heartworms or intestinal worms, ensure your pet takes preventive measures by vaccinating them regularly and staying on top of parasite cleanliness. Consult a veterinarian immediately if you notice any symptoms such as fever, vomiting, difficulty breathing, change in behavior, lack of appetite, etc.
Choosing the Right Vet for Your Pets
Make sure you’re picking a vet that’s right for your needs. Visit this website to search for a reliable vet that can help treat your pets with proper care in different stages of their lives.
Choose a vet facility with complete services, including diagnostic and lab tests, surgery, etc. It’s also essential to have various specialists, like a dog or cat dentist, because dental health is vital to your pet’s overall well-being. Besides, you don’t want to travel to different vet clinics for various services.
On top of these, a good vet will always give their honest opinion, answer your questions, and make sure to keep you updated on your pets’ progress. You should give proper attention to your pet at all times and provide the treatment they deserve.
