Health & Fitness
Preventative Care - Parasites
It's Spring! As we start to enjoy the outdoors, wee need to be aware of some of the issues that can be brought to our pets. All cats need preventative care, even those who do not go outside.
Preventative care, whether for humans or animals, is just what it says. Care recommendations that prevent disease. For veterinarians, this includes diseases that pets may pass to their owners. Many veterinarians ask the client/owner to bring in a sample of their pet’s poop when they come in for the “annual” visit for this reason. Samples are analyzed by the veterinary technician to find any parasite eggs that may be passed with the feces.
Almost all puppies and kittens are either born with intestinal parasites or develop them within the first 3 weeks of birth. Shelters, rescues, and responsible breeders do a “deworming” at least once before adoption. The treatments will help to keep the parasites under control but not completely get rid of them. Parasites that remain behind do not always shed eggs, but they may cause irritation of the intestinal tract that can lead to other diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease or tumors.
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The above reasons are why every cat - indoor or outdoor - should have an intestinal parasite analysis and a physical exam at least yearly. Cats that go outside may need a deworming up to 4 times a year. Products used for deworming pets vary but they should work on preventing roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. Talk to your veterinarian about deworming both your cats and dogs at least once a year.
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Dr Pam Cuevas
La Grange Park Cat Clinic
