Pennard Vets

Parasite Prevention

Parasite prevention: Treating fleas and worms

Fleas and worms can become an uncomfortable nuisance for our pets, and if left untreated can lead to serious health complications.

It’s crucial that you follow an appropriate preventative treatment plan to prevent your pet from hosting nasty critters, and we can help you to work out how best to keep your furry friend healthy and free from pests.

Treating fleas in Kent

Fleas are a common parasite, and an infestation may cause real disruption to your home as well as discomfort for your pet.

That’s because the adult fleas biting your pet are the tip of the iceberg, with the majority of an infestation taking the form of eggs and larvae, which live in your home.

The easiest and most effective method of preventing fleas is to use a spot-on treatment, which is squeezed onto the skin on the back of the neck of your pet, usually once a month. Our nurses can help you with applying treatments if you’re having difficulty.

This should prevent your pet from getting fleas in the first place. However, it may be too late for that already!

Fleas are a major cause of skin disease in pets, and their bites cause discomfort and irritation. If your pet is scratching themselves more often than usual, or has spots or scabs on their skin, they may well have fleas. You may also notice specks of black dirt in their fur or on their bedding.

Spot-on treatments will kill fleas on your pet, but you will also need to remove them from your home. Vacuum thoroughly, apply a household insecticide to kill off any remaining eggs, and wash your pet’s bedding at a high temperature.

If you’re concerned that your pet has fleas, we’re happy to advise on how best to tackle them.

Treating worms

There are a range of parasitic worms that can have a negative impact on your pet’s health. Here are some of the most common worms, all of which can be prevented by regular spot-on treatment application.

Speak to our team in practice if you would like advice on how best to treat your pet.

Roundworms are found in your pet’s intestine and look like pieces of string that may be seen either in faeces or vomit, if your pet has contracted them. However, the majority of infections are not obvious and can affect human health particularly younger children.
Tapeworms are found in your pet’s intestine and are long and flat with segments that look like grains of rice. Your pet can pick them up via being bitten by fleas, or by eating raw meat.
Lungworms only occur in dogs and are carried by snails and slugs, which your dog may eat, or alternatively they may ingest the worms when rummaging through undergrowth or drinking from puddles. Lungworm can cause a variety of symptoms and are potentially life threatening. This is a growing problem in the south east of the country, including Kent. We are sad to report that we have seen fatal cases of lungworm infestations contracted locally.