Importance of IP Prevention

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Importance of IP Prevention

 

Prevention of internal parasites is preferred over treatment due to

cost of treatments, inconvenience of treatments and discomfort to the

pet. Luckily, most parasite-related illnesses are preventable.

 

There are several simple ways to protect your pet from internal parasites.

 

 

* Use a pooper scooper. You can prevent contamination by picking

up feces from your yard immediately—do not let it sit. As feces breaks

down, eggs form and seep into the soil. A dog or child can play in the

soil and spread contamination. When you take your dog for a walk, be

responsible and carry something to pick up waste.

 

Feed your pets cooked or prepared food - never raw meat - and provide

fresh water daily.

 

 

* Have your pet's stool sample examined by your veterinarian every

6 - 12 months.

* Ask your veterinarian to place your pets on preventive flea and

internal parasite medication as soon as possible after birth or

adoption. Treatment and control of internal parasites should be

performed at least annually by a veterinarian.

* Annual re-testing for heartworm infection will ensure that

preventive practices are sufficient.

 

 

 

 

One of the most effective ways to protect your pet from internal

parasites is to use a parasite prevention product. There are safe

parasite preventives available through all veterinary clinics. But

they must be used consistently. Year round treatment with a broad

spectrum parasite product is key because:

 

 

* Although experts agree that heartworm transmission does not

occur year round in all areas, a significant portion of the U.S.

experiences transmission during most of the year.

* The presence of mosquitoes and their ability to transmit

heartworm is unpredictable.

* Pets may travel to regions where transmission is active.

* Pets are exposed to and become infected with roundworms and

hookworms (A. caninum) throughout the year. Therefore, fecal matter

capable of transmitting parasites can be shed into the environment

regardless of season or climate.

* Adult dogs may develop outwardly visible infections, leading to

environmental contamination.

 

 

 

 

Using an internal parasite medication is even more important in

households with infants and small children. Internal parasites can be

transmitted to infants and children if they rub their hands on the

pet's fur. The risk of parasitic infection in pets and zoonotic

parasite transmission increases in the absence of year round internal

parasite prevention.

 

 

One SENTINEL® Flavor Tabs® tablet given once a month protects against

heartworms, hookworms (A. caninum), roundworms, whipworms and controls

flea populations. Milbemycin oxime, one of the active ingredients in

SENTINEL® Flavor Tabs®, is the active ingredient most trusted by

veterinarians for use in their own pets. It provides the spectrum of

control required by Centers for Disease Control and Companion Animal

Parasite Council guidelines.

 

 

You should always watch your pet for signs of internal parasite

infection. Parasites can be observed in pets' feces or in bedding,

among other places. Usually, internal parasite infections are marked

by decrease in appetite, bloody stools, diarrhea and a decrease in

activity level. Many internal parasite infections do not show any

symptoms, so regular veterinarian visits are important. If you suspect

your pet has internal parasites, prompt treatment is crucial because

some cases can be life threatening.