When we think about parasites, we may picture a flea jumping through our pet's fur or a tick attached to their skin. But some of the most important parasites affecting our pets are ones we can't see at all.
From heartworms and intestinal parasites to fleas, ticks, and mites, parasites can cause everything from mild irritation to serious, potentially life-threatening disease. And here in New Jersey, our pets are exposed to many of these parasites throughout the year.
The good news? Parasite prevention works, and prevention is much easier than treatment.
Internal Parasites: The Ones You Can't See
Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease is caused by Dirofilaria immitis and is transmitted by mosquitoes. Once an infected mosquito bites a dog, the parasite can eventually develop into adult worms that live in the heart and pulmonary arteries. These worms can cause coughing, breathing difficulties, exercise intolerance, and permanent heart damage.
Treatment for an established heartworm infection is extensive and expensive, which is why prevention is so important. And heartworm isn't just a problem in warmer parts of the country. It is present here in New Jersey, and mosquito exposure can occur for much of the year.
Gastrointestinal Parasites
Intestinal parasites are also extremely common in dogs and cats. Some may cause obvious gastrointestinal symptoms, while others can be present without any noticeable signs. Some you can see, some you cannot.
Visible to the naked eye:
- Roundworms: Long, spaghetti-like worms that may be seen in stool or vomit.
- Hookworms: Small worms that live in the intestines and can cause diarrhea and anemia.
- Whipworms: Small, whip-shaped worms that can cause diarrhea and weight loss.
- Tapeworms: Often noticed as small, rice-like segments around your pet's rear end or in their stool. Pets commonly get them by swallowing infected fleas.
Microscopic parasites: Coccidia and Giardia. Although you cannot see these, they can still cause severe diarrhea, lethargy, and weight loss in your pets.
Even parasites that can be seen with the naked eye may go unnoticed, and many infected pets show no symptoms. That's why routine fecal testing and year-round parasite prevention are so important. It's also important to note that not every dewormer treats every parasite!
External Parasites: The Ones We Can See
Fleas
Fleas aren't simply an itchy nuisance. They can also lead to flea allergy dermatitis, anemia, and tapeworm infections. A flea infestation can affect the entire household and can be surprisingly difficult to eliminate because of the flea's extensive life cycle. Prevention is much easier than trying to eliminate an established infestation.
Ticks
New Jersey has a variety of ticks, including American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and lone star ticks. Ticks can transmit several serious diseases, including but not limited to:
- Lyme disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Ehrlichiosis
Tick-borne disease is a significant concern for pets in our area. In New Jersey, approximately 1 in 30 dogs test positive for Ehrlichia, 1 in 20 test positive for Lyme disease, and 1 in 11 test positive for Anaplasma. It's important to remember that a positive screening test does not necessarily mean a pet has an active infection, but it does indicate exposure.
Mites
Mites can affect the skin and ears and may cause significant itching, hair loss, and inflammation. Common examples include Demodex, Sarcoptes (aka mange), and ear mites (Otodectes).
So, How Do We Prevent Parasites?
The best protection is consistent, year-round prevention. There are several veterinary-recommended options available, including monthly oral or topical medications, yearly injectable products, and combination preventatives.
Depending on your pet's individual needs, options may include products that protect against heartworm, intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks, or multiple parasites at the same time. Your veterinarian can help determine which prevention provides the right coverage for your pet based on their age, lifestyle, geographic location, and risk factors.
Even pets receiving regular parasite prevention should have routine screening. We recommend yearly fecal testing and heartworm/tick-borne disease testing to help identify infections early. Some parasites can be present without obvious symptoms, so your pet may look perfectly healthy while still carrying a parasite.
What About "Natural" Parasite Prevention?
We often hear questions about natural alternatives to traditional parasite prevention. Many products marketed as "natural" alternatives do not provide reliable protection against parasites. Some can also be harmful to pets. For example, garlic is toxic to pets. Natural products should not be used as a substitute for proven parasite prevention. When it comes to parasites, ineffective prevention can leave your pet vulnerable to disease.
The Bottom Line: Prevention Works Year-Round
Parasites don't necessarily follow the calendar. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes can remain active throughout the year, which means parasite prevention shouldn't be something we only think about during the spring and summer.
The best approach is simple:
- Use year-round parasite prevention.
- Screen annually with fecal and heartworm/tick testing.
- Choose proven, veterinary-recommended products.
- Talk with your veterinarian about the right prevention for your pet.
Your pet doesn't have to show signs of parasites for them to be a problem. The best way to protect your pet is to prevent an infestation or infection before it happens.
Protect your pet. Every month. Every season. Prevention works year-round.