Signs That Your Pet Might Have Parasites

Pets get into just about everything. When pets stick their nose, tongue, or muzzle in certain places, it can have severe repercussions on their health. Parasites can lead to dangerous health issues for your pets such as extreme weight loss, anemia, blindness, and gastrointestinal upset. If you are concerned about parasites affecting your pet’s health, call our veterinarian at Hamilton Road Animal Hospital in Columbus, OH, for parasite testing.

Warning Signs

It is not easy to know when your pet has worms or parasites. If you suspect your precious pet has either of these pests, contact our veterinarian for proper testing and treatment. Various parasites affect pets differently, among the most common pests being roundworms, heartworms, and giardia.

Heartworms parasites are spread through mosquito bites and can ruin your pet's internal organs and subsequently lead to heart failure. If you notice your pet exhibiting signs such as fatigue, weight loss, and a mild but persistent cough, consult with our veterinarian.

Roundworms are ubiquitous parasites, and they can be easily caught by eating soil that is infested with the worm's larvae. The signs that indicate the presence of roundworms include diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and sometimes worms in your pet's feces.

Pets can become infected by the giardia parasite by drinking contaminated water. An animal can also become infected by eating or sniffing grass that has the giardia parasite on it. Common symptoms of giardia include weight loss and diarrhea in the form of chronic soft stools.

Pets can also be affected by fleas and ticks, especially when they go into heavily wooded areas. Ticks can cause diseases such as Lyme disease, tick paralysis, and babesiosis, among others. In addition to causing anemia and dermatitis, fleas make pets itchy and very uncomfortable. When pets scratch at an itch, they may break the skin which could lead to a skin infection.

Parasite Prevention at Hamilton Road Animal Hospital

Parasite prevention is the best way to handle these common pests. We have several products that can keep your pet safe. We also have products that can treat an existing parasite problem. If you live in or around Columbus, OH, and would like to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian, call us today at (614) 239-0027.