The harm from parasites to a pet's health can range from minor irritation to serious conditions that, if untreated, can be fatal. Parasites also pose a threat to human health. Some pet parasites cause zoonotic infections, which means they can be transferred from pets to people.
Why is it important to prevent parasites?
We recommend that every pet have a fecal checked for intestinal parasites yearly. One major reason for this is that intestinal parasites can harm your pets by decreasing their ability to absorb nutrients, causing vomiting or diarrhea, or even damaging their intestines.
Does my dog need parasite prevention?
All dogs should be on monthly parasite control medication to keep them and their human families healthy. “Dewormers” are found in most monthly heartworm prevention medication for dogs.
How do parasites affect dogs?
These parasites can affect your dog in a variety of ways, ranging from simple irritation to life-threatening conditions if left untreated. Besides making your dog sick, many of these parasites can also cause disease in people, so early detection and careful handling of your dog's stool is important.
Why are parasites important to animals?
Parasites also influence host behavior and fitness, and can regulate host population sizes, sometimes with profound effects on trophic interactions, food webs, competition, biodiversity and keystone species. These interactions suggest that parasites are integral components in shaping community- and ecosystem structure.
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