Why Does Your Indoor Cat Need Parasite Prevention?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Did you know that 25% of cats with heartworm infections are strictly kept indoors?  

Parasite prevention is important - even for indoor cats!  Now that the weather is warming up, it's time to start taking steps towards preventing feline heartworm disease.  Whether your pet spends time outdoors on nice days or prefers to stay indoors, it's still important that pet owners protect their feline friends from parasites this spring.

Why is parasite prevention important?

• Cats LOVE Hunting - Cats are natural hunters.  This means that even though they spend most of their time indoors, your feline friend will jump at the opportunity to pounce on cockroaches, mice, and flies that carry roundworm eggs.
• Spring Gardening Increases Risk - 15% of commercial potting soil conttains round-worm eggs, according to The Veterinary Record.  If you plan on keeping any potted plants indoors, this could increase your cats risk of coming into contact with the parasite.
• High Populations of Roundworms - The Northeast has the highest prevalence of roundworms - higher than any other part of the country.  Even if your cat doesn't go outside, you can unknowingly bring these parasites indoors when you come home.

If you have any questions about why parasite prevention is so important for your pet, contact our office.  Our experienced veterinarians can provide you with advice, as well as prevention tips and treatments for parasites and feline heartworm disease.

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Parasites and Your Pet

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

When it comes to your pets health, parasites are often overlooked. There are the common cases of ticks and fleas, however, there are several other parasites floating around that spread easily within families and pets. Those parasites include hookworm, tapeworm, coccidia, roundworm and giardia. 

 

It's important to be wary of these parasites because they can be found anywhere, and they tend to spread quickly. 

 

If you think there could be a chance your pet is infected by a parasite, see below for some of the first signs of detection.

• Vomiting 
• Weight loss
• Hair loss
• Diarrhea 
• Decrease in appetite

The best way to determine if your pet is infected with parasites is to have a fecal examination performed. Below is the recommended schedule for fecal checks based on your pets age.   

• Puppies and Kittens: 2-4 times a year
• Adult Dogs and Cats: 2-4 times a year (not taking preventative medication)
• Adult Dogs and Cats: 1-2 times a year (taking preventative medication)

As a pet owner, there a few measures you can take to protect your pets from parasites and reduce their risk of getting infected. The number one way to protect your pets is to remove their feces from your yard immediately after letting them outside. It's also important to protect yourself and your family from parasites. Try to avoid letting your pet lick any family members around their mouth and be sure to wash your hands well with soap and water after playing with your furry friends outdoors. 

 

If you have any questions about parasites and how to protect your pets, please give us a call at any one of the Bregman Veterinary Grouplocations. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you have.