The most common parasites we deal with are intestinal worms, topical fleas and ticks, and blood born parasites like heartworm.
Dangers of Paralysis Ticks
The paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is a particularly dangerous parasite found along the east coast of Australia. Awareness and preventative measures are still important, especially if you travel with your pet or live in areas with native bushland.
- Where Paralysis Ticks Are Found: The paralysis tick thrives in humid, vegetated environments. While concentrated along the east coast, it’s essential to be vigilant even in inland areas as pets can pick up ticks in local parks or if you’ve recently travelled to tick-prone regions.
- The Dangers of Tick Paralysis: The paralysis tick injects a potent neurotoxin into your pet’s bloodstream as it feeds. This toxin progressively causes paralysis, starting with the hind limbs and potentially leading to respiratory failure and death if left untreated.
- Symptoms of Tick Paralysis: The average time between tick attachment and the onset of symptoms is about 7 days, but this can vary. Early signs can be subtle and include:
- Lethargy and weakness
- Loss of coordination, wobbly gait
- Changes in voice (hoarseness or a soft bark/meow)
- Retching or vomiting
- Increased breathing rate or effort As the paralysis progresses, pets may develop difficulty breathing, grunt, cough, and eventually become completely unable to stand.
Tick Prevention Treatments
If you live in or visit tick-prone areas your Armidale Vet can recommend the most effective tick prevention products for your dog or cat, which may include chewable tablets, spot-on treatments, or collars.
Daily Tick Checks
Even with preventative treatments, perform a thorough daily tick search on your pet, especially after they’ve been outdoors. Pay close attention to areas around the head, ears, neck, chest, and between the toes. If you find a tick, remove it carefully and monitor your pet for any signs of tick paralysis.
If You Suspect Tick Paralysis
If your pet shows any signs of tick paralysis, it is a medical emergency. Seek veterinary attention immediately. Every hour that passes without treatment increases the risk of fatality in your pet. Keep your pet calm and cool during transport to the clinic, as stress can worsen their condition. Do not offer food or water if they are having difficulty swallowing.
Common Intestinal Worms in Pets
There are several types of intestinal worms that can affect dogs and cats in our Armidale Regional Council region, each posing its own set of risks:
- Hookworms: These small worms attach to the lining of the small intestine and feed on blood. They can cause anaemia, weight loss, and diarrhoea, particularly in puppies and kittens.
- Roundworms: One of the most common intestinal parasites, especially in young animals. Adult roundworms live in the small intestine and can cause a pot-bellied appearance, vomiting, diarrhoea, and poor growth. Their eggs can also pose a health risk to humans, especially children.
- Whipworms: These worms reside in the large intestine and can cause chronic inflammation, diarrhoea (sometimes with mucus and blood), and weight loss.
- Tapeworms: These long, segmented worms live in the small intestine. Pets usually become infected by ingesting fleas or infected prey animals. Segments of the tapeworm, resembling grains of rice, can often be seen in the pet’s faeces or around their tail.
- Hydatids: These are tiny tapeworms that can cause serious disease in humans if their eggs are ingested. Dogs can become infected by eating raw offal from sheep or other grazing animals. Regular and strategic worming is crucial in areas with livestock to prevent this risk.
Adult worms are prolific egg layers, shedding microscopic eggs into your pet’s coat and the environment. These eggs can then be accidentally ingested by other pets or even people, potentially leading to illness.
Worming Schedules for Puppies & Kittens
Young pets are particularly vulnerable to the effects of intestinal worms, and early, frequent treatment is essential:
- Puppies: It is recommended that puppies are wormed every two weeks from 2 weeks of age until 12 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months of age. Use a broad-spectrum wormer suitable for puppies.
- Kittens: Similar to puppies, kittens should be wormed every two weeks from 2 weeks of age until 12 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months of age. Use a wormer specifically formulated for kittens.
Always use a worming product that is effective against roundworms at these early stages, as they are a significant risk for young animals.
Worming Schedules for Adult Pets
For adult dogs and cats in :
- Routine Prevention: Adult pets should be wormed at least every three months (four times a year) with a broad-spectrum allwormer that covers all the common intestinal worms.
- High Hydatid Risk: If your dog has access to unprocessed sheep meat or offal (common in rural areas or on farms), they should be wormed every 6 weeks with a product effective against hydatid tapeworms.
Regular worming is a simple way to protect your pet’s health and prevent environmental contamination with worm eggs.
Do You Have a Flea Problem with your Pets?
Fleas are small, agile, external parasites that feed on the blood of your pet. Even a few fleas can cause significant irritation and discomfort.
- How Fleas Harm Pets: Adult fleas bite your pet, causing itching and skin irritation. In heavy infestations, they can lead to anaemia (blood loss), especially in young or small animals. Fleas can also transmit diseases and are an intermediate host for tapeworms.
- Identifying Fleas: Adult fleas are fast-moving and can be difficult to spot. A key sign of flea infestation is excessive scratching, biting, and licking. If you suspect fleas but can’t see them, look for “flea dirt” – small, black specks that are actually flea droppings – in your pet’s coat, especially around the base of the tail and along the back. You can confirm it’s flea dirt by placing it on a damp white paper towel; it will dissolve into reddish-brown smears of digested blood.
- Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD): Some pets have an allergic reaction to flea saliva. Even a single flea bite can trigger intense itching, leading to excessive scratching, hair loss, skin redness, inflammation, and secondary skin infections. FAD can be very difficult to manage and requires strict flea control.
Getting the Right Flea Treatment
Fortunately, there are many highly effective flea control products available. These come in various forms, including spot-on flea treatments, chewable tablets, and flea collars. The best choice for your pet will depend on their species, age, weight, lifestyle, and the severity of the flea problem. Consistent, year-round flea prevention is the most effective way to protect your pet and your home from infestations.
