Parasites can cause a number of health problems for our pets, from mild itching or stomach upset to serious respiratory distress and organ failure. As a pest that can be passed on to humans, it is also handy to know what to look for to keep everyone in the family safe. This is why it is important to understand the signs of infection, how to protect against them and what to do if you notice your pet has a problem.
Fleas
Fleas are a biting external parasite that can be found on animal hosts or in the environment.
To ensure complete eradication of fleas, it’s important to understand their lifecycle for which there are four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult.
The length of the life cycle from egg to adult can vary depending on temperature and humidity levels, with the optimal conditions being 20C to 25C and 70% humidity. For many areas, this means that fleas survive all year round.
Fleas can be tricky to find so you may have more luck looking for flea dirt: the droppings left behind!
Fleas can carry a multitude of pathogens that affect our pets – this includes being an intermediary host for tapeworms – as well as the standard skin irritation caused by biting insects.
The most common sign of fleas is intense itching, so if your pet is scratching often and the skin appears inflamed and irritated, fleas could be to blame.
Ticks
As a pet owner in Sydney, you may be more familiar with ticks than you ever planned or wanted to be. A variety of ticks including the bush tick and brown dog tick reside in the bushland nationwide, however the warm, humid conditions of Australia’s east coast from September to March create an ideal environment for paralysis ticks.
The paralysis tick is the most important parasite that we must be on alert for in this area.
This is because when this tick bites an animal, it injects a toxin that causes skeletal muscle paralysis. The speed of onset of paralysis is determined by the amount of toxin that the tick has injected. It’s important to be aware of the subtle signs as if not identified and dealt with quickly it can result in inability to breathe and consequent death.
Signs that a pet may have a paralysis tick include:
- changes to or difficulty breathing,
- loss of gag reflex
- difficulty eating,
- poor coordination
- loss of limb function,
- change to bark or meow
If you suspect your pet has a tick, call our vets immediately and if possible, start searching your pet’s coat.
If a tick is found, and your pet shows signs of paralysis the team will need to admit your pet for treatment with tick antiserum, a full body exam, oxygen and fluid therapy as required.
It can take some days for full recovery to occur.
Worms
A range of species can affect our pets, but puppies and kittens can be more susceptible due to their naive immune systems being more susceptible to infection.
There are four most common intestinal worms to be aware of are:
Roundworm:
White, spaghetti-like bodies that can be passed on to young through the mother during pregnancy and lactation. Transmission to other animals occurs via egg infected faeces that are ingested by other animals, beginning the cycle again.
Hookworm:
These nasty bugs latch onto the intestinal lining of dogs and cats and feed on their blood. Transmission between animals can occur via oral ingestion, through the skin, via mother’s milk and in-utero through the mother’s placenta.
Tapeworm:
Tapeworms have a segmented body and reside in the small intestine. They resemble tiny rice grains when seen around the rear end.
When eggs are released, they can be picked up by secondary hosts such as lizards, rodents and grazing livestock.
Our pets can become infected if they eat these secondary hosts.
Whipworm:
Whipworms live in the caecum (beginning of the large intestine) and pass eggs via dogs’ faeces. Other animals can pick up whipworm by consuming faeces contaminated soil, water or food.
Heartworm:
Heartworm is one of the most dangerous worms that your pet can contract – but is also the most preventable.
Carried by mosquitoes, larvae are transmitted to our pets through bites and travel to the heart to mature. Heartworms can impair function of the lungs, heart and other vital organs, and can be difficult and costly to treat – especially as preventatives can actually be harmful to your dog if they already have worms in their system.
Symptoms of a worm infection include loose stool, vomiting, inappetance, lethargy, a painful abdomen, a potbelly (roundworms), weight loss, diminished coat quality, or irritation around the anus (tapeworms), itchy skin or diarrhoea containing blood (hookworms) and even anaemia (whipworm). Heartworm infection can be accompanied by respiratory distress, decreased stamina and pale gums.
Prevention & Treatment
Prevention and vigilance is your best defense against these potentially deadly pests. Depending on the brand, preventatives range from tablets to sport treatments and range in timeframes of effectiveness – usually one to three months. Read more how we can help you.
Regularly checking your pet for external parasites can help keep them safe as well. Be mindful of lumps and bumps you may have not noticed previously, and check hidden spots such as under the collar and between the toes.
Preventatives can also be used as part of a treatment plan, should your pet be diagnosed with a parasite or a disease they may have passed on.
Maintaining good hygiene for our pets can help minimise their exposure to worms from the environment, like cleaning bowls regularly, disposing of faeces safely and providing clean food that has been stored and prepared correctly.
It is important to remember many of these pests and the illnesses they carry are zoonotic, meaning they can be passed from pets to people. If your furry friend is infected, remember to handle them wearing gloves, wash your hands and clothes well, and never prepare or consume food in the same areas.
Always check the label or speak with your veterinary team to ensure you are treating your pet with an appropriate product. If you have questions or need help you can always call our friendly team at: 02 9416 1300 or book an appointment online.