Parasite Control & Prevention

Parasite prevention helps us protect your pet from harmful, disease-carrying pests. Both internal and external parasites pose great risks to your pet's health. We shouldn't put our guard down about parasites, even in the winter. For this reason, all pets should be taking monthly preventives year-round, regardless of the weather.

How do parasites pose a threat to my pet's health?

Parasites carry a range of diseases that are not only harmful to pets but humans too. Zoonotic diseases are usually unique to pets but can also be passed on to humans. Luckily, there is a lot that we, as pet owners and veterinary practitioners can do to help prevent and reduce the risk, spread, and contraction of zoonotic diseases. We offer a variety of preventative treatments including vaccinations and monthly preventives. These include flea and tick treatments, which help keep you and your pet free of disease and infection. Some zoonotic diseases spread by parasites include:

• Ringworm, roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworm
• Salmonellosis
• Leptospirosis
• Lyme disease
• Giardia Infection
• Scabies

Does my pet only need flea and tick treatments in the summer?

We recommend year-round treatments for your pet to provide them with broad-spectrum protection. Even during a cold winter, parasites can survive if they have a warm-bodied host (like a pet or wild animal) or shelter in a heated home. Though your pet could have a higher risk of infection during some months, it never completely goes away. The only way to safeguard your pet, regardless of the season, is with medication we carry in our hospital. If you're interested in learning more about our selection of medications, please contact us at 604-522-3344.

What can I do to prevent parasite infections at home?

At home, something you can do to make sure your whole family stays in good health is to make sure signs of illness and disease are diagnosed and treated promptly by one of our veterinarians. Basic hygiene such as hand washing, grooming your pets regularly, wearing gloves when gardening in areas your pet usually does their business, and always stooping and scooping can also help reduce the risk of disease spreading among your family.