Parasites Suck at Social Distancing.
Pests like fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms don’t care at all that a pandemic is ravaging the planet. And contrary to popular opinion, parasites aren’t just annoying. They can actually cause deadly illness in your pets and even harm human members of your family, too.
It’s crucial that while we’re spending more time outdoors than ever that your pet be protected from pests like fleas, ticks, and heartworm. Fleas can transmit tapeworm and cause anemia, while ticks are well-known carriers of many harmful conditions, including Lyme disease.
Heartworm is another – and even graver – threat. Although not as common in the Portland area as other parts of the country, we still see instances of heartworm in our area. Mosquitos can transmit the deadly worms to pets through just one bite. As the name suggests, heartworms live in the heart, but they also thrive in the lungs and blood vessels. Because they constrict blood flow, they can damage internal organs and cause lung disease and heart failure.
Sadly, many animals don’t show symptoms until the disease is advanced. While there is treatment for canines, it is expensive and can be very hard on your pet. (There is no heartworm cure for cats.)
At Roseway Veterinary Hospital, we know how important it is to protect your pet from parasites of all kinds. That’s why we carry a wide array of preventatives in our clinic and our online pharmacy. Give us a call at 503-446-2450 or browse our online selection today!