PARASITES

There are numerous internal and external parasites that can infect both cats and dogs.  Below is a list of the most common types of parasites that owners should be aware of.  We have also included some tips and advice on what you can do to help prevent and treat infection in your companion. 

Fleas

            Ah, the dreaded flea!  These pesky little creatures can cause severe discomfort for your pets and for you.  These small, brown, wingless insects feed off of the blood of their hosts.  When they bite, they inject a tiny amount of saliva into the host's skin in order to prevent the blood from coagulating.  Although some animals who have fleas may show little or no discomfort, many are very sensitive to the flea saliva and react with severe scratching and discomfort.  Prevention is the key in fighting the ongoing battle against fleas.  One or two tiny fleas are all it takes to cause an infestation on your pet and inside your home.  Fortunately, there are a number of products available over-the-counter to help protect your companion against these tireless pests. 

Ticks

            Ticks are another serious concern, especially in our area of the country.  There are various breeds of ticks, some of which are relatively harmless and others which carry and transmit diseases to their hosts.  Here in Connecticut, our greatest concern is for the deer tick (also known as the black-legged or bear tick) which can spread Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis, among other things.  Deer ticks are very tiny (much smaller than wood ticks) and are often difficult to find in the fur of our companions.  Because of this, using a preventative treatment which kills the tick before it can transmit disease is extremely important.   

           
Ear Mites

            Ear mites are mush more common in cats than in dogs.  These microscopic bugs infect the aural cavities and can cause severe discomfort and itchiness for the host.  Ear mites generally produce dark brown or black dry debris which is often said to resemble coffee grounds.  They are transmitted from an infected animal to a non-infected one through simple contact, so if one pet in a multi-pet household is diagnosed, generally all of the pets should be treated.  

           
Sarcoptic Mange

            Sarcoptic mange is the name for the skin disease caused by an infestation of the Sarcoptes scabei mite and is most common in dogs.  The female mites burrow into the skin in order to lay their eggs and the resulting larvae also move over the skin of the host.  The movement of these mites is extremely irritating to most infected animals and causes severe itchiness and scratching, which leads to red, raw areas on the host's body.  Mange mites prefer the areas of the body with less hair, causing the most discomfort in the groin, armpit, and ear tip areas of the infected animal.  Sarcoptic mange is most often diagnosed via a "skin scrape" which is viewed under a microscope.

Heartworm

            Heartworm disease is a serious and sometimes fatal parasitic infection that can affect both dogs and cats.  In dogs, the worms live in the heart, as well as in the large blood vessels surrounding the heart and lungs.  In cats, the worms are found in the heart, lungs, or pulmonary artery.  The disease affects dogs much more frequently than cats, but it is important to treat both species with a preventative.  Heartworm larvae are transmitted to a host through the bite of an infected mosquito.  Mosquitoes become carriers when they bite an infected animal.  Heartworm disease is easily preventable and can be diagnosed through a simple blood test.  Winters here in the Northeast have been becoming milder, allowing mosquitoes to survive longer outside.  Also, because mosquitoes can live inside even when it is freezing outside, it is important to provide your pet with a heartworm preventative all year round.  Revolution is a great preventative for cats and it also provides protection against a number of other internal and external parasites.  Revolution is also a great preventative for dogs, as is Heartgard Plus.  You can read more about these products below. 

           
Roundworms 

            Roundworms are long, thin worms that can affect both cats and dogs.  They are visible in both the stool and vomit of infected animals and are often said to look similar to thin pieces of spaghetti.  Roundworms are common in puppies and kittens as they can be passed from the mother through the milk.  In older pets, roundworms are contracted by ingesting the eggs shed by infected animals.  Often, a cat or dog will pick up eggs from soil, stool, or grass on their paws and ingest them later when they are grooming themselves.  The eggs hatch when they reach the stomach and the worms develop in the intestines.  More eggs pass out through the feces of the newly infected animal.  Roundworm infection can generally be diagnosed through a fecal examination done by your veterinarian.    

           
Tapeworms

            Tapeworms are relatively common in both cats and dogs.  Tapeworm eggs are generally carried by rodents, rabbits and fleas.  When an animal ingests any of these other hosts, they become hosts themselves.  Tapeworm segments are passed through the stool and are said to resemble small pieces of rice.  Often, when a cat or dog is infected with tapeworms, they will "scoot" on the floor to relieve the itching associated with the segments crawling on the skin around the anus.  Tapeworm infections can also be diagnosed through fecal examinations.    

           
Hookworms

            Hookworms can affect both cats and dogs.  As with most other intestinal parasites, hookworms are generally picked up by a new host either through the mother or through the ingestion of eggs in the environment.  Severe infection can lead to anemia in some pets.  Hookworm eggs can be seen on fecal examination, although the egg shedding cycle is not constant, so repeat analysis may be recommended.   

           
Whipworms

            Whipworms are gastrointestinal parasites that affect dogs.  Typically, they become infected by ingesting eggs from the environment.  The adult whipworms burrow into the intestines where they can feed on blood and tissue.  This infection often causes the host to have diarrhea, which is sometimes bloody.  Diagnosis is done through stool examination, but the whipworm eggs are not shed on a consistent basis so repeat analysis may be recommended. 

Coccidia

Coccidia are intestinal protozoa that infect the small intestines.  Coccidia are transmitted to a new host when they ingest either infected feces or an infected animal, such as a rodent.  Although most coccidial infections can be fought off by the body's own defenses, some infections can become severe, causing watery and/or bloody diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration.  Coccidia cannot be seen by the naked eye and can only be diagnosed through fecal examination.  

           
Giardia

            Giardia are one-celled organisms that infect the small intestines of both dogs and cats and which are often contracted through the ingestion of contaminated water.  Often when an animal is infected with Giardia, they will have explosive, watery diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and weight loss.  Giardia can be diagnosed through special fecal examinations and laboratory testing. 

PRODUCTS FOR PREVENTION

Revolution

Revolution is a topical solution that can be used on cats who are 8 weeks of age or older and on dogs who are at least six weeks of age.  It is dispensed in small single-dose tubes which are specific to the species and weight of your pet and should be applies once a month.  Revolution is the only topical treatment available which is labeled for the prevention and control of adult fleas, flea eggs, heartworm disease, ear mites, hookworms, roundworms, and sarcoptic mange.  Because it is labeled for heartworm, additional heartworm preventatives are not needed when Revolution is used.  It can also be used for tick control, although it is not officially labeled for that purpose.  It is manufactured and distributed by Pfizer Corporation.  Revolution has proven to be very safe and effective and can be safely used in conjunction with a flea and/or tick collar for additional protection.  Revolution is available by prescription only.

Frontline Top Spot Plus

Frontline Top Spot Plus is a topical solution labeled to kill fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, all stages of brown dog ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks, and deer ticks, and chewing lice.  It is available for both dogs and cats 8 weeks of age or older and is approved for use on pregnant and nursing mothers.  It is manufactured and distributed by Merial Corporation and has proven to be quite safe.  Frontline should be applied once a month and can be used safely in conjunction with a flea and/or tick collar for added protection.   

K9 Advantix (NOT FOR USE ON CATS)

K9 Advantix is a topical solution which works to both repel and kill fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.  The repelling and killing of mosquitoes can greatly reduce the likelihood of a dog contracting heartworm.  However, we do recommend that heartworm preventative still be used in conjunction with this product.  Like Revolution and Frontline, Advantix should be applied once a month.  Advantix is extremely toxic to cats in its liquid form!  In order to prevent accidental exposure, we generally recommend that Advantix NOT be used on dogs who share households with one or more cats.  If you do have cats in your household and would prefer to use Advantix, please speak to your veterinarian or a veterinary technician regarding proper application and handling of the topical solution.  Advantix is manufactured and distributed by Bayer Corporation and has proven to be very effective and safe in dogs.       

Advantage

Advantage is a topical solution also manufactured and distributed by the Bayer Corporation.  It is labeled for the use of fleas and is available in both cat and dog sizes.  It should be applied once a month.  

Flea & Tick Collars

Flea and tick collars are generally safe for pets as long as they are not ingested.  In homes where small children have close contact with pets, flea and tick collars may not be recommended.  Flea and tick collars for cats should be "breakaway" collars, meaning that if the cat's collar gets snagged on something, it will easily break or pull off so that the cat is able to get away.  If you prefer, you can put a flea and tick collar on your dog only when you are going to be in a potentially infested area (i.e. when hiking in the woods) and remove the collar when you are home.  If you do this, store the collar in a plastic sandwich bag out of reach of pets and children, and be sure to wash your hands after touching the collar.  

Heartgard Plus

Heartgard Plus is a once-a-month tablet given to prevent heartworm disease and to treat and control roundworm and hookworm infections.  Heartgard Plus is generally used for dogs, but is available in a size for cats as well.  This preventative is available in both chewable and non-chewable formulas.  It is manufactured and distributed by Merial Corporation and has proven to be very effective and safe. 

Triheart Plus

Triheart Plus is a generic version of Heartgard Plus.  It has the same effects and is slightly less expensive than Heartgard. 

It is also important to note that there are several generic forms of the topical preventatives listed above that are available in various stores.  Although they are less expensive than the name brands that you will find at your veterinary clinic, the potential for adverse affects is much higher.  We do NOT recommend the use of these products.