What Pet Owners Should Know About Roundworms and Hookworms

What Pet Owners Should Know About Roundworms and Hookworms

People can become infected with roundworms and hookworms from their pets. Dogs and cats that are infected with these parasites can contaminate their surroundings through fecal matter. The eggs and larvae can survive in the soil at parks, playgrounds and your yard.

Hookworm larva penetrate into the skin causing skin inflammation and infection. They can also penetrate into deeper tissue such as the intestines and other organs.

Roundworms enter the body when the eggs are ingested.  The larvae travel through the liver, lungs, and other organs. In some cases these larva can produce condition know as visceral larva migrans.
These larvae can cause tissue damage, nerve damage and occasionally blindness.

By keeping your pets on a monthly dewormer, such as Sentinel or Trifexis, and good general hygiene, you can prevent these infections.

For more information go to www.cdc.gov/healthypets or www.capcvet.org.

Tammy Washburn, LVT

Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal Allergies

Written by Dr. Scott Weakley

It’s that time of year again, the peak time for seasonal allergies in dogs.  From the first part of August until about 2 weeks after a killing frost in October, we will see lots of dogs suffering from allergies.  The culprits are plants such as ragweed and crabgrass that produce pollens that your dog can be allergic to.  Fleas can make the allergy season much worse.
Dogs that have allergies to airborne allergens will usually have itchy ears, lick or chew their feet, and rub their faces on the carpet or with their paws.  Inhalant allergy, also known as atopy, can make your dog miserable and can lead to secondary bacterial or fungal infections of the skin and ears.
Treatments to help your dog include frequent bathing in gentle shampoos, fatty acid supplements, antihistamine, and frequently corticosteroids.  Flea prevention or treatment is also important.  Any secondary infections have to be treated also.
  Call us for an appointment to help your dog if he or she is experiencing symptoms of allergies.