Parasite Control & Prevention

Parasites are harmful, not only to dogs and cats but to people too. Some parasite infections can negatively impact your health, especially if you are immunocompromised, pregnant or have young children. By ensuring your dog or cat takes their monthly preventive as prescribed, you’re safeguarding your entire family against infections.

What is a parasite prevention plan?

Parasite prevention plans are aimed at protecting your dog or cat against preventable infections. Even in the winter months, you shouldn’t let your guard down. Dogs and cats need parasite protection all year round, especially if they’re at a higher risk of contracting certain parasites. Based on a dog or cat’s needs, we’ll recommend a broad-spectrum topical cream, oral medication or injection that can protect against the following:

• Intestinal worms like roundworms, whipworms and more
• Fleas
• Ticks
• Heartworms
• Mange

Are over-the-counter parasite medications effective?

Before giving your dog or cat any type of parasite prevention medication, it’s important to consult our veterinary team. Even though a product is available for purchase over the counter, it doesn’t always mean it’s the safest for your dog or cat. They could also be less effective than the medication we provide and, in some cases, beyond their expiration date. When we recommend a preventive, it’s equally important to administer it exactly as directed. For example, some preventives are specific to your dog or cat’s species and metrics. This means your dog’s medication won’t work for your cat and vice versa.

How often should I administer preventives?

We highly recommend year-round preventives, which typically need to be administered at the same time each month. We will discuss specifics about the parasite preventives we recommend. To start your dog or cat on a parasite protection plan, please contact us at 905-571-3700.