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Heartworm

Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a blood borne parasite that is spread via mosquitos that affects both dogs and cats. Infected pets have an immature form of heartworm called ‘microfiliaria’ circulating in the bloodstream which are sucked up by mosquitoes when they feed on the blood of the infected pet. The microfiliaria develops into a heartworm larva inside of the mosquito which can be easily transmitted to your pet via a bite from a carrier mosquito. As the worms mature in the heart and blood vessels, they cause a physical blockage as well as thickening of the heart and associated blood vessels. They can grow up to 30cm in length and up to 2cm in diameter. 

We are in a low incidence zone; however, Heartworm is present throughout most of Australia, and we have the mosquito population that is needed to transmit the disease between pets.

If your pet has not had heartworm prevention before 6 months of age, we recommend that a heartworm test should be conducted prior to starting prevention as it takes approximately 6-7 months for the heartworm to develop in the heart.

Options include:

• A yearly injection of Proheart.

• A monthly chewable of either Heartgard Plus or Nexgard Spectra.

Treatment can be started with Proheart from 3 months of age with a booster before becoming a yearly injection.

When a pet is initially infected with heartworm there are no clinical signs or symptoms; only when the adult heartworm has invaded the heart chambers then symptoms and signs will present. Symptoms: Coughing, lethargy, shortness of breath, change in exercise abilities, heart failure.

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Fleas

Fleas are a common external parasite of both dogs and cats. Approximately 5% of the adult flea population lives on our pets whilst the remaining 95% of adults as well as eggs and larvae live in the environment. Fleas are most often seen during the warmer months of the year but can be found all year round; hence why we recommend prevention all year round. They are small brown insects that jump onto the skin of our pets causing flea infestations and skin irritation (it only takes one bite to cause an irritation). Fleas can cause many skin allergies that cause an array of skin related problems for your pet - a common issue is called Flea Allergy Dermatitis. Fleas also host an intestinal worm called flea tapeworm (intestinal worm).

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Fleas have a 4-stage breeding cycle and reproduce quickly - without treatment, this enables fleas to infest our pets environment as well as our homes.

1. Egg: Female flea lays up to 50 eggs per day which fall off the host. 

2. Larvae: Eggs hatch within 2-4 days and the larvae develop in the environment. 

3. Pupae: Larvae develop into adults through pupae (encasing themselves in cocoons). Adults emerge from pupae in 10 days to 12 months. 

4. Adult: Permanent host is located by the adult flea and the cycle begins again. Adult fleas live for 2-3 months. 

 

If there is a flea infestation is it crucial that you not only treat all your pets but your home environment as well. The eggs and larvae like to hide in humid places in the environment such as carpet and bedding. Vacuuming the floor 2-3 times a week can help clear away any eggs. The pupae stage can be quite resilient, therefore, you should wash all bedding on a hot-cycle including any bedding slept on by people. If there is a reoccurrence of fleas in your pets environment you may need to use a flea bomb which can be brought from your local supermarket. It is very important to make sure you create a flea free environment so you stop the reoccurrence of fleas jumping back onto your pet.

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Ticks

Ticks are a small insect of the arachnid family. Ticks can be acquired at any time of the year, however, there seems to be an increase in risk from spring well into summer. There are 3 main types of ticks: the brown cattle tick, bush tick and paralysis tick. The brown and bush ticks may cause local itchiness and dermatitis; however, the paralysis tick is one of the most dangerous ticks that can affect your pet as it can cause paralysis and death within 2-4 days of attachment. In the Rutherglen region it is not normal to find Paralysis ticks, and bush and cattle ticks haven't been known to carry diseases though this is occurring in Northern NSW and may at some stage also become a problem.

Paralysis Ticks are found up and down the East coast of Australia and thrive in warm and humid habitats - avoiding these areas does not reliably prevent a paralysis tick from latching onto your pet. After attaching to your pet, the tick will feed on the hosts blood whilst injecting small amounts of saliva. The tick’s saliva contains a potent nerve toxin that causes the connection between nerves and muscles throughout the body to malfunction. This causes weakness, which can progress to:

• Wobbly hind legs and difficulty walking

• Coughing

• Regurgitation

• Difficulty breathing

• Complete paralysis

The effects of paralysis can become so severe that your pet will be unable to walk or lift its head, and without treatment, the majority of affected animals will ultimately pass away.

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Intestinal Worms

It is important to make sure you regularly worm your pets. Worming is one of the first health care issues pet owners need to address as puppies and kittens are the most susceptible. As their name suggests, intestinal worms are parasites that live inside your pet’s intestines. If your pet has numerous worms, it may find it difficult to maintain body condition and it can lose weight. In some cases, it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and even anaemia (a low red blood cell level). Occasionally, heavy intestinal worm burdens can cause death.

In dogs there are four intestinal worms to treat for: hookworm, roundworm, whipworm and tapeworm.

In cats there are three intestinal worms to treat for: hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm.

Hookworms

• The most dangerous intestinal worm found in dogs and cats.

• A worm that ‘hooks,’ with teeth, onto the small intestine and sucks blood causing anaemia. They also feed on digestive tissue while injecting anticoagulants.

• Hookworms are zoonotic, meaning that can be transmitted between animal and human.

Roundworms

• Roundworms (nematodes) are parasites that live freely in the intestine of dogs and cats, feeding off of partially digested intestinal contents.

• Roundworms are zoonotic, meaning that can be transmitted between animal and human.

Tapeworms

• Tapeworms (cestodes) are flat, segmented intestinal parasites of the cat and dog.

• Flea Tapeworm: Usually more irritating than harmful. Larvae develop in fleas. When a pet eats an infected flea when grooming itself, the tapeworm develops in the animal’s gut.

• Hydatid Tapeworm: Can cause cysts, penetrate the gut, and enter the bloodstream.

Whipworms

• Live in the lower bowel of dogs and feed on tissue lining and blood.

• Can survive for up to a year laying over 2000 eggs each day.

Puppies and kittens should be treated for worms every 2 weeks from 2 weeks of age in dogs and 6 weeks of age in cats until 3 months of age and then monthly until they are 6 months old. After this, all dogs and cats should be treated once every 3 months.

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Lice

Infection with lice can be seen in a range of animals including cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents and birds. Lice are subdivided into biting/chewing lice and sucking lice. Infection is transmitted by close contact. Large numbers of lice cause intense irritation and can cause self-inflicted injury. In addition, the sucking lice may cause anaemia if present in large numbers. 

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Mites

Mites may be subdivided into the burrowing and surface mites. Both types cause dermatitis, which may or may not be itchy, depending on the species of mite present. Sarcoptic Mange (scabies/fox mange) causes an intense itch and can easily spread to other dogs and humans. Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) is very common in puppies and kittens.

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Lungworm

Cats become infected with cat lungworm (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus) by eating a slug or snail containing the infective larvae. The adult worm lives within the lung tissue of the cat.