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Parasite Prevention

The veterinarians at Sheehy Animal Hospital in Livonia have seen many pets come in that are affected by some type of parasite. Parasite infestation can lead to many health and comfort problems for your furry friends. It's important to be able to recognize the signs of parasites and to know when your pet needs veterinary care to get them treated quickly.

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What are Parasites

Parasites are small organisms that depend on another living creature for their survival. One of the best-known parasites among pet owners are fleas, which feed off of and live on an animal throughout its lifespan. Parasites come in many forms and may live inside your pet's internal systems or outside on their body. 

Problems That Parasites Cause

The exact problems depend on the type of parasite that is in question. They can spread disease among animal populations, cause issues with nutrient absorption, create dehydration, make an animal more susceptible to getting sick, cause anemia, and countless other concerns. While dogs are the most at-risk pet for parasite infestation due to the time that they spend outdoors, no animal is completely safe from these pesky invaders.

Signs of Parasite Infestation 

The exact symptoms that your pet may show vary depending on the parasite that is present. Some of the most common symptoms you can keep an eye out for include unexplained weight loss, lethargy, excessive scratching, coughing, unexplained behavior changes, extreme grooming habits, and visible parasites in the pet's stool. Some parasites have the potential to lead to a life-threatening situation for your pet. For example, if there are a lot of ticks on a dog, then they're constantly drinking blood from them. This could lead to anemia and other concerning consequences.

Prevention Works Best

A variety of parasite prevention treatments are available to fight back against these pests. The most well known are flea treatments, which may impact other parasites such as ticks and roundworms as well. Oral and topical medication may be given to your pet to kill off the parasites and to treat the symptoms that they have caused. For example, if a cat had a tick infestation, they may need to be on vitamins and supplements to get their system back to normal following this depletion of resources.

Seek Help From Your Local Vet

If you live near Livonia, call a veterinarian at Sheehy Animal Hospital at (248) 615-7670 to get the vet care that your pet needs when dealing with parasites. These pests could simply be annoying or they could be dangerous to your pet’s health. Don’t take any chances with your furry friend, call us today.

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Office Hours

Monday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Testimonials

  • "I love this veterinary clinic. Dr. Sheehy and staff are all friendly and seem to take pride in their jobs. I enjoy taking my three rats there and would recommend them to everyone I know."
    Cheyenne H / Livonia, MI

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