Common parasites and prevention
Routine parasite prevention is essential to protect both dogs and people. Key parasites include fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms).
Prevention basics:
- Flea and tick control: monthly topical, oral, or collar-based preventatives depending on product and vet advice.
- Heartworm prevention: monthly pills or injections prescribed based on local heartworm risk; annual heartworm testing is standard in many areas.
- Intestinal parasite checks: routine fecal exams and deworming as needed, especially for puppies and dogs with outdoor exposure.
Healthy practices:
- Keep yards tidy, pick up feces promptly, and avoid stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
- Check for ticks after outdoor time and remove them promptly with proper tools.
Work with your veterinarian to choose products tailored to your location, lifestyle, and any household vulnerabilities (e.g., young children or immunocompromised people). Consistent year-round prevention and monitoring protect your dog from disease and limit parasite spread to humans and other animals.