At 1st Ave Animal Hospital in Vancouver, our veterinarian and assisting staff help maintain your pet's health regimen through annual checkups, preventative care, and a variety of services. One area where pets need preventative care is when dealing with a parasite. Our veterinarian offers a variety of parasite prevention measures and treatment options should your pet contract a parasite.
Signs of Heartworm
Heartworms are potentially fatal parasites. When signs present themselves, such as your pet being sluggish or suffering from diarrhea, a visit to our animal hospital and a discussion with our veterinarian can put your pet on the right track.
Symptoms of heartworm include:
- Bulging chest
- Fatigue
- Inactivity
- Dry cough
How Does a Dog Get Fleas?
One thing a new pet owner will want to know and will often ask their vet is how does a dog gets fleas? There are many ways, some obvious and some you might not even consider. Consider the following the next time you see your pet scratching.
- Pets can get fleas from being outdoors around other pets at parks or from wildlife if you and your pup enjoy hiking trails.
- A visit to the vet, groomer, kennel, even a friend's house where other animals have visited and deposited fleas can affect your pet.
- Other animals in the house may be a source of flea infestation.
How Do Ticks Affect Dog Health?
Tick bites can result in illnesses such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Babesiosis, Powassan virus disease, and Anaplasmosis, also known as tick fever. When a pet is severely infected, toxins can enter the bloodstream via the tick's saliva, which can lead to tick paralysis. Symptoms that may occur include fever, lameness, swollen joints, loss of appetite, diarrhea, lower energy level, anemia, weakness, vomiting, and an allergic reaction. For severely impacted dogs, the result can be seizures.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Veterinarian in Vancouver, BC
If your pet is showing signs of heartworm, do not hesitate to contact us at 1st Ave Animal Hospital in Vancouver, BC to schedule an appointment. Our vet will do a thorough checkup to determine if your pet has roundworms, heartworm, or another type of intestinal parasite and prescribe a preventative treatment plan. We will also help you prevent fleas, ticks, and other parasites from affecting your pet. Call us today at (604) 254-5480 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian.
