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Parasites

  • Moxidectin + sarolaner + pyrantel is a heartworm disease preventive for dogs that also treats and prevents internal parasites (hookworms and roundworms) and kills fleas and ticks. This medication is given by mouth as a flavored chew tablet. At regular doses, this medication is well-tolerated. Your veterinarian will advise you on the safety of moxidectin + sarolaner + pyrantel use in your dog. If you suspect an overdose or an adverse reaction to the medication, call your veterinary office immediately.

  • Miasis is a maggot infestation caused by certain species of flies depositing their eggs, often in diseased or damaged tissue. It can cause discomfort, secondary infection, tissue damage, and depression.

  • Parasites are not commonly diagnosed in pet birds; however, when present, they can cause generalized debilitation. With external parasites, your veterinarian can often make a diagnosis based on a physical examination and a microscopic analysis of skin lesions. Intestinal parasites are usually discovered when the feces are examined microscopically. Blood parasites are typically found during a routine blood count. All anti-parasite treatment should be under the advice of your veterinarian.

  • The common rabbit pinworm, Passalurus ambiguus, is an intestinal parasite. It does not posea serious health threat to rabbits, but it can cause uncomfortable itching and skin inflammation or redness around the anus. Rabbits become infected with pinworms by eating feces that contain pinworm eggs. Pinworms are challenging to treat because rabbits are coprophagic, so can potentially reinfect themselves during treatment.

  • The most common conditions affecting pet prairie dogs are obesity, dental problems, cardiac disease and intestinal parasites. Regular scheduled veterinary examinations will be of great benefit to help discover problems or diseases before they cause a critical illness.

  • Primaquine is a drug used to treat babesiosis in cats, a condition caused by a blood parasite (Babesia felis). Primaquine has also been used to treat blood parasites in owls and raptor birds. Primaquine is not recommended for use in dogs as they are highly susceptible to its side effects.

  • Pruritus is the medical term for itching. It is common in many skin disorders; itching and scratching are commonly associated with flea allergy dermatitis and other allergic skin diseases. Consult your veterinarian about what can be tested for and what treatments can be effective for relief.

  • Oomycosis (“swamp cancer”) is a waterborne infection of dogs that can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, skin or internal organs of dogs. It can cause extreme weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, skin lesions, or sudden death. It is more common in southern regions.

  • Adding a new kitten to your family is a lot of fun, but it is also a big responsibility. This handout reviews basic kitten care, including vaccinations, internal and external parasites, nutrition, and nail care. It also reviews the importance of early spay/neuter and microchip identification.

  • Owning a puppy can be an extremely rewarding experience but it is also a large responsibility that lasts the entire lifetime of the dog. Working with your veterinarian, there are several preventive measures to help keep your puppy safe and healthy as he grows up, including vaccination, parasite treatment and prevention, identification, and spaying or neutering your dog.