Ulysses Veterinary Clinics Cairns Parasite Prevention For Your Pet

Pets of all kinds are susceptible to a range of parasites, including but not limited to intestinal worms, heartworm, ticks, fleas and mites. The way these parasites are spread and the impacts they can have on your pet’s health varies, from parasite to parasite and pet to pet. Our dedicated team of Cairns veterinarians at Ulysses can provide advice on the the best parasite prevention, parasite detection and treatment.

The best approach with parasites is prevention and we can help with the right advice and products to protect your pet. For reference, we’ve prepared the below outline on the most common parasite ‘problems’ we see in our Cairns veterinary clinics, but for information and treatment for your pet, make an appointment to come in and see us.

Intestinal Worms Roundworm, Tapeworm, Whipworm & Hookworm

Puppies and kittens are often the most susceptible to worm infestation, although pets of all ages can get worms. Some of these worms can be transmitted to people, with children and the immunocompromised at greatest risk.

How To Reduce The Risk Of Human Exposure To Worms

• Routine deworming for all pets in your household.
• Prompt disposal of pet faeces on a daily basis.
• Ensure good hygiene, encourage children to wash their hands regularly.
• Prevent children from ingesting soil or pet faeces.
• Protect playgrounds, garden areas and cover sandpits.
• Always dispose of dog faeces in public parks and playgrounds.
• Prevent your pet from scavenging or hunting.

Frequent deworming will kill worms and it’s important to maintain a regular deworming program for your pets. Contact us for more information on deworming treatments and products.

Heartworm Can Kill And Can Be Prevented

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease. Dogs are more susceptible to heartworm infestation than cats, and heartworm disease tends to be more severe in dogs. It is transmitted from one dog to another by mosquitoes, which pick up the tiny heartworm larvae (microfilariae) when they bite an infected dog. The microfilariae develop in the mosquito and are transmitted when the infected mosquito bites another dog. The heartworm larvae then migrate through the dog’s tissues and circulatory system, eventually reaching the heart and lungs where they grow into adult heartworms which can be longer than 30cm.

Heartworm may cause no clinical signs in the early stages, but as the worms grow, they can interfere with the normal circulation of blood. This can result in signs of heart failure, and in some cases may lead to sudden death. Thankfully, heartworm is very easy to prevent and should form part of your pet health care routine.

Ticks Can Kill Protect Your Pet

Cats and dogs are susceptible to ticks and the impacts can be fatal. While Brown dog ticks and bush ticks aren’t usually deadly, they can cause skin irritation and transmit other diseases to your pet, including Ehrlichiosis or Babesia parasites which invade the red blood cells of dogs causing anaemia (which can be fatal). The paralysis tick (Ixodesholocyclus) is one of the most dangerous parasites and it can be fatal. Signs of tick paralysis include loss of coordination in the hind legs (wobbly or not being able to get up) which may progress to the front legs, change in bark, retching, coughing or vomiting, loss of appetite, or laboured or rapid breathing. Any of these signs may indicate the presence of a paralysis tick and if your pet is showing these symptoms, seek immediate and urgent attention.

Tips For Reducing The Risk Of Tick Paralysis

• The year-round use of effective tick control products for all dogs and cats.
• Search your pet daily for ticks – although tick control products will greatly reduce the risk of tick paralysis, it only takes one tick to cause tick paralysis.
• Reduce exposure to ticks in the environment (e.g. clean up leaf litter and debris, minimise or restrict your pet’s access to bushy environments).
• If you find a tick, remove it immediately and seek veterinary attention.

There’s a range of effective tick protection products available, contact us for more information.

Fleas & Mites Protect Your Pets

Fleas and mites love cats and dogs and while they aren’t deadly, they are annoying and can cause health complications for your pet. Fleas can cause skin disease and transmit infectious or parasitic diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans too. In some dogs, fleas can also trigger an allergic condition called flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), a skin disease that is intensely itchy and can result in hair loss and skin infections. In dogs with FAD, even a small number of fleas can cause intense irritation, meaning year-round flea control is essential!

There’s a few different types of mites, some of which can be transmitted to people – such as the Sarcoptes mites, which burrow into the skin leading to intense itching, hair loss and skin infections. There are also Demodex mites, which are naturally found on pets but can become problematic if your pets immune system is compromised and Ear mites. All can be controlled by using regular flea and mite prevention products, available at our Stratford and Whitfield clinics.