Pets suffer from several different parasites including roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, , coccidia, Giardia, and whipworms. The most common are Roundworms that infest nearly all kittens and puppies. Tapeworms can also cause a lot of problems and are caused by fleas. Most parasites are microscopic and require a microscope for diagnosis. We perform a fecal examination to determine whether your pet has worms. Parasites are acquired either at birth from the mother, by Ingestion, or by intermediate hosts like fleas, rabbits,etc.

Heartworms also have the potential to cause severe disease to the heart of pets. All it takes is one bite from a mosquito carrying a heartworm larva. For more information, read Canine Heartworm Disease

It is important to realize that some parasites – especially roundworms, hookworms, & giardia- can also effect people, especially children. Two very important developments that affect both your family and your pet have recently occurred.

First, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the Companion Animal Parasite Council now recommend MONTHLY de-worming for all cats and dogs to reduce the risk of potentially serious parasite transmission to humans.

The CDC estimates between 1 and 3 Million people are infected with roundworm infection (called Toxacara migrans) from pet exposure each year causing a variety of symptoms including blindness, brain damage and even death. This disease is now responsible for 60% of all blindness in children in the United States. According to the CDC:

“The risk is especially great for vulnerable populations, including infants, children and individuals whose immunity is compromised by a pre-existing disease and prolonged medical treatment. Unfortunately, many pet owners are not aware of the health risks-human and animal-posed by intestinal parasites, and are therefore not motivated to take even basic preventative measures” Dr. Peter Schantz, CDC Division of Parasitic Diseases