Effective March 2022: ONE person may accompany their pet into the hospital for appointments with a doctor. Technician Appointments, Technician Drop offs, Cardiology Drop offs and ALL Food and Medication Pick ups may also be done in person, BUT Please call when you arrive to ensure that we can accommodate you in our lobby. We will continue to offer a Curbside option for all services. Masks are required at all times.

Parasites

Parasites-2

Get rid of those pesky critters.

Your pet is an easy target for parasites and small insects. Common parasites like ticks, hookworms, fleas and heartworm-carrying mosquitos feed on your pets, potentially infecting them with many dangerous diseases. Discover how these tiny pests can cause big problems.

Ticks

Ticks are found lurking in shrubs and tall grass. They attach to your pet, biting them and feeding on their blood. Although some are nearly microscopic, the tick represents one of the more potent dangers to your pet’s health. A single tick bite can carry a host of potentially harmful diseases including Lyme disease

Many times, if your pet is exposed to ticks, you are also. Special care should be made to inspect your pet, and yourself, after any woodland outdoor activities.

Intestinal Worms (Hookworm, tapeworms, roundworms, whipworms)

These varieties of worms infest your cat or dog’s intestinal tract and can cause diarrhea, weight loss, bloody stool and vomiting.

Roundworms: While they can infest adults, these worms often target puppies and kittens in the womb, transferring from the mother’s tissues. These worms often appear in stool samples. Screening new puppies and kittens is essential as well as yearly screens for adults.

Hookworms: Small, thin worms that attach to the inside of the intestine, sucking blood from the tissue and causing anemia in severe cases. Again these are more problematic in the young and screening both puppies and kittens, as well as yearly screening for adults, is important for your pet’s health.

Whipworms: More often seen in dogs than in cats, these worms are hard to diagnose and can live in the large intestine for long periods of time if left untreated.

Tapeworms: These large worms can grow up to 6 inches in length. Tapeworms live in the intestine, feeding on digesting food and releasing their eggs.

Fleas

These bloodsucking insects feed on mammals and lay eggs in their fur. Fleas can transmit parasites like Tapeworms, as well as cause dermatitis and anemia. One flea can reproduce nearly 50 times a day, making a flea infestation a substantial threat to your pet’s wellbeing. Flea infestations often spread throughout your home — living in your carpet and furniture and making them tough to eradicate.

Heartworm

Heartworm-carrying mosquitos represent a lethal danger to your pet. The mosquito’s bite transmits the heartworm larva to your animal, it then slowly develops and makes its toward the heart. Once their it multiples within your pet’s pulmonary artery, leading to constricted blood flow, heart disease and major organ failure.

Parasite Prevention Plan
Regular application of anti-parasitic medication is a surefire way of keeping your pet free of nasty parasites. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best parasite control products for your pet.

Bramer Animal Hospital’s Parasite Prevention Plan includes:

  • Pet examination and testing
  • Parasite-control product consultation with a Bramer Animal Hospital veterinarian
  • Access to industry-leading medicine and equipment

Schedule an appointment immediately if you suspect that your cat or dog may already be infected.