Things to know about deworming your pet
Some of the internal parasites of pets are worms. Worm infections in cats and dogs are very common and are often already spreading in the womb to the fetus and develop to severe infections in a short time span. It is therefore important to regularly check your pet for worm infections (send in a stool sample) or preventatively treat your pet against worms.
Infections are recognised under the microscope and are not directly visible to the naked eye unless heavy infections occur at which time you might see adult worms in the stool of your pet. Just because you cannot see them does not mean they are not in the surroundings. The Worm eggs can get by from the feces of an infected animal to the environment or ingested by pets when they eat feces of other pets. Some parasites can also pass to your pet via mosquitoes, ticks, or fleas, while some larvae can move directly through the skin. Puppies and kittens are usually born with parasites passed on from their mom before they are born, they are advised to get dewormed more often.
We need to stay vigilant in keeping our pets free from parasites, for their health but also to ensure our family members are not infected as some of the vermes can cause some problems in humans too. Veterinary clinics in Dubai offer deworming services to support owners of cats and dogs
CONTACT ABVC TO DEWORM YOUR PET
Deworming or Worm Prevention
To give yourself peace of mind on the possibility of your pets contracting worms, regularly deworm or bring in a stool sample for investigation on parasite infection, and use only the right pet medications at the correct dosage. There are many types of dewormers available for cats and dogs. These are tested safe for pets and effective against parasites.
Do’s and Don’ts to protect your pet from worms or internal parasites:
1. Don’t forget to administer the anti-parasitic medication in time. It is recommended to deworm your cat and dog at least every three months.
2. Know your pet’s weight before administering an anti-parasite in your pet. It is important to know the weight of your pet before giving anti-parasitic medication to avoid underdose or overdose. Keep in mind that the total dose of anti-parasitic varies according to the weight to ensure that you are administering the right dose.
3. Like many infectious organisms, parasites like worms in pets do tend to mutate in ways that make them less vulnerable to medication that worked on previous occasions. Vets are aware of which products work in the area you live with your pet and can give advice what products to use and what problems or parasites are seen in your area. So, whenever you move to a different country/region, ensure to stop by to discuss this with your vet to ensure your family and your pets are safe.
To stay up to date and help protect your pet from worms and internal parasites, consult one of our vets or visit a trusted veterinary clinic for a general pet check-up and do ask for preventive care and proper parasite treatment.
Written by Evangelyn Santos, ABVC veterinary nurse
