Parasite Protection

Roundworms are very common in Alberta and especially prevalent in young kittens and puppies. As these parasites spread through infected feces and soils, mothers will inadvertently infect their offspring. This is why your Veterinarian will recommend several dewormings to catch all the cycles.

Named for their ability to hook and hang from the intestinal lining, these parasites suck blood and can cause severe anemia in animals with heavy parasite burdens. These persistent parasites can infect their host when larvae is ingested or by penetrating through the skin's barrier.

Whipworms are intruders in the large intestine. Their eggs can live in the soil for years and cause multiple re-infections. Bloody diarrhea is a common symptom.

Tapeworms differ from other common intestinal worms in their segmented appearance. When the proglottids break off, they resemble grains of rice. Secondly, tapeworms require an intermediate host such as a flea or rodent. This is the reason why your Veterinarian will often recommend flea treatment along with deworming medication.

Simply put, Heartworm, "Dirofilaria Immitis" is a potentially fatal blood borne parasite that lives in the heart or large blood vessels of our cats and dogs. If the heart or major blood vessels are obstructed, blood supply and oxygen delivery is reduced to the vital organs. Although the prevalence of Heartworm infection is less common in cats, it can still occur. As this complex disease is transmitted through mosquitoes, no environment is 100% mosquite proof and therefore indoor pets are equally at risk.
The Heatworm lifecycle is complex and differs slightly between our dogs and cats. One important distinction to remember is that Heartworm is not transmitted between cats or dogs, as can occur with intestinal parasite infections. An infected dog will not give your dog Heartworm disease. Your pet must be bitten by an infected mosquito.
In Canada, the disease is most problematic along the southern Great Lakes and the Eastern and Western Canadian coastlines. In Alberta, our pets are most at risk when mosquitoes are prevalent in the spring and summer when temperatures rise above 10 degrees Celcius. Additionally, if your pet travels with you to the Eastern or Western Canadian coastline or southward into the temperate USA, you should consider taking preventative medication with you.
How would you know your pet has Heartworm:

Cat
• Very challenging, often there are NO overt clinical signs.
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate
• Fainting
• Weight loss
• Lack of appetite
• Many more

Dog
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Lack of staminia
• Fainting / collapse
• Lethargy
• Many more

Diagnosing the Disease

• Blood Tests - a Heartworm Antibody and a Heartworm Antigen test will be recommended for patients suspected of having the disease.
• Radiographs - will permit a Veterinarian to examine the size and shape of the heart and pulmonary arteries for evidence of enlargement.
• Cardiac Ultrasound - is often used and is a very sensitive diagnostic tool in confirming Heartworm disease.

Treatment
THE BEST TREATMENT IS PREVENTION
Treatment is extremely complicated as care must be taken not to incite a mass Heartworm die-off where dead and dying worms could form a bolus and cause a fatal occlusion of the pulmary arteries.

In cats, there are NO labeled approved drug treatments.

In dogs, treatment protocol involves hospitalization and intensive treatment at a Veterinary Referral center.

The threat of ticks and Lyme Disease occurs with warming temperatures. Ticks are most prevelant in tall grass and wooded areas. Always check your dog after returning from hikes with special attention to their head, neck, armpit and groin. If you identify an attached tick, resist the urge to pull it off to avoid leaving the head and mouth parts in the skin. Place tweezers or the tick pulling tool as close to the skin as possible and using gentle motion turn the tool and pull up. If you are not comfortable, call the Clinic!

Fleas make your dog and cat itchy. Extremely itchy! Fleas have tiny ~ 3mm dark, linear bodies and can move very quickly and jump! This means any contact your dog has with an infected dog or if your cat hunts mice or squirrels, the odds of infection are high. A complete home and pet environment decontamination is highly recommended. We have suggestions and can help guide you through the necessary cleaning steps. Monthly flea treatments are available if your pet is at high risk or if you plan to travel with your pet.

As suggested, "Otodectes cynotis" is a mite that usually lives in the ear canal of dogs and cats, as well as other small animals. They transfer from animal to animal by direct contact with an infected animal. They may even infect people if you have close contact with an infected pet. Pet owners will usually notice their pets:

• Head shaking and excessive scratching of their ears.
• Development of a dark crusty build up resembling coffee grinds within the ear canal.
• Secondary hair loss and scratches and rashes may occur from continuous self trauma.
• With chronic, ongoing, untreated infections an "aural hematoma" which is a large blood filled lesion can occur on the ear. This is a particularly painful condition.

Diagnosis and Treatment
To distinguish between an ear infection and ear mites, a Veterinarian will recommend an ear swab that can be examined under a microscope. Once ear mites are confirmed, your Veterinarian will recommend an appropriate insecticidal product. Many easy to administer options are available. Depending on the extent of the ear mite infection, a recheck exam may be recommended.

Sarcoptes Mange ....