It was Ben Franklin who said “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is rarely more true then when dealing with parasites and contagious diseases in our pets.
As the weather warms, the biting insects return. This represents a dangerous problem for all dogs. A single mosquito bite can cause Heartworm infection in any dog. Heartworm is almost always fatal without treatment and the treatment is very expensive. Luckily, Heartworm Disease is easily prevented. All dogs should be heartworm tested and started on a once per month heartworm preventive pill. These pills are very safe for most dogs, and will also help prevent intestinal parasites as well.
All cats share certain risks as well. Even indoor cats can get intestinal parasites since some are spread by fleas, or can be brought into the house by other animals, or even on the bottom of your shoes. Feline Leukemia (FeLV) is also very contagious and quite common in any cat that goes outside. Because it is incurable and usually fatal (much like AIDs in people), all cats should be vaccinated against Feline Leukemia just on the off chance that they might get outside. We recommend checking a stool sample, Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDs testing, and FeLV vaccinations for all cats.
So remember, not only is an ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure, it can also save your pet’s life!
Stay Healthy- Dr. Ken Trippett