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Heartworms 
Heartworm disease is spread through mosquito bites! 

Signs of heartworm disease in dogs may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, your dog may develop heart failure. 

Cats become infected with heartworm disease just like dogs!
Signs of heartworm disease in cats can be very subtle or very dramatic. Symptoms may include coughing, asthma-like attacks, periodic vomiting, lack of appetite, or weight loss. 

​Intestinal Parasites

Roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm and protozoa such as  giardia and coccidia.

Dogs and cats can contract intestinal parasites via different routes, and are usually transmitted when an animal inadvertently ingests parasite eggs or spores in contaminated soil, water, feces or food. Tapeworms can be transmitted when a dog or cat eats an infected flea. Puppies and kittens on the other hand, usually get intestinal parasites from their mother. Transmission can occur in-utero or from nursing.

Fleas and Ticks

The most likely way your pet will come in contact with fleas and is through exposure from other animals. Fleas can easily jump onto your dog or catfrom carriers in close range or by disturbing unhatched eggs that an infected animal has left in your yard or at the park. Fleas can lay hundreds of eggs infesting your pet and your household.

Ticks fall off their host and remain in the environment until your pet brushes by them- that's when they grab on! Ticks attach and will take a blood meal for as long as they like, whereas fleas will bite many times causing your pet to itch their skin.  Many times ticks will remain attached for several days. The longer the tick is attached, the more likely it will infect your pet with Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases. Please call us right sway if you think your pet has fleas or ticks- 847-885-3344.

Outdoor animals that carry fleas and ticks include:
mice
birds
squirrel
skunks
opossum
rabbits
deer
raccoon
fox

Parasite Prevention Tips

• Deworm your pet according to your veterinarian’s recommendations

• Keep your pet on year-round parasite prevention

• Bring your pet in annually for routine parasite screenings (heartworm and fecal screenings) 

• Look through you pets hair coat to check for "flea dirt" and live parasites, particularly after visiting the dog park, beach and wooded areas 

Parasites:

What are they and how can I protect my pets?

Heartworm Disease In Dogs Video

Every year, many pets are diagnosed with diseases carried by insects and parasites. Cost of treatment can be expensive and some diseases can lead to serious illness. All dogs and cats are at risk for parasites. External parasites like fleas and ticks are usually easy to spot if you know what to look for, but others like intestinal parasites and heartworm, can easily go undetected.