Parasite Control

(Fleas, Heartworm, Lice, Ticks, Mites, Intestinal Worms, Giardia)

Parasite ControlPrevention, diagnosis, and treatment of parasite infestations are important for the health of your pet and, in the case of some parasites such as roundworm, for human health as well.

Pets play host to a variety of parasitic organisms. Parasites primarily live inside a pet’s intestine (coccidia, toxoplasma, giardia, tritrichomonas, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms), within the heart and blood vessels (heartworm), and on a pet’s skin (mange mites, ear mites, ticks, and fleas).

Our veterinarians have access to a range of tests for parasites including fecal floatations, fecal and blood antigen ELISA tests, fecal antigen DNA tests, and direct microscopy.

If you travel with your pets you may require specific parasite preventative medication depending on the area you are travelling to. Please discuss your travel arrangements with your veterinarian before you plan on travelling.

Common Flea, Tick and Heartworm Control Products

There are several highly effective, long lasting and very safe flea, tick and heartworm control products available by your veterinarian. Here is a list of some of the most common ones we recommend at Amherst Veterinary Hospital:

Topical Products: Topical parasite preventions are applied between the shoulders blades. Our veterinarian’s recommend avoiding bathing or swimming your pet for 48 hours after application to ensure full absorption. Dogs that are bathed, or swim frequently are at an increased risk of having lower efficacy as it is prone to washing off. Therefore, they may need to be re-treated more frequently than the prescribed monthly application.

Advantage- This is a monthly product that is used to prevent and treat flea infestations in both cats and dogs. This product targets adult fleas, as well as the flea eggs and larvae.

Advantix- This monthly product covers adult fleas, flea eggs and larvae. It also covers ticks, so if you live in, or travel to tick infested areas this may be a product for your pet. This product is only for dogs. Please note that this product is toxic to cats, so if you have cats and dogs living together, this product will not be suitable.

Advantage Multi- This monthly product covers multiple parasites both internal and external in dogs. These include adult fleas, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, sarcoptes (mange mites), nasal mites, and ear mites.

Bravecto- This is given every 12 weeks for the treatment of adult fleas and ticks for cats. This is also available in a chewable form for dogs.

Revolution- This is another monthly product that covers a variety of parasites that we have in stock for cats. Included in the coverage are adult fleas, heartworm, sarcoptes (mange mites), ear mites, and nasal mites.

Oral Products:

Sentinel- This monthly chewable tablet covers flea eggs and larvae, but not adult fleas. It is also used to prevent heartworm, whipworm, and roundworm in dogs.

Capstar- This is a quick acting medication given when there is a live infestation of fleas. It targets the adult fleas, and takes effect usually within an hour of administration. It does not cover flea eggs or larvae so it is recommended to follow with another product to continue the protection as the larvae and eggs mature and develop into adults. This product is safe to be given in conjunction with other parasite control products for both cats and dogs.

Bravecto- This is a chewable tablet given every 12 weeks for dogs. It covers adult fleas, and ticks. This is also available in a topical form for cats.

Nexgard- This chewable monthly tablet covers adult fleas and ticks. This is only available for dogs.

Heartgard plus- This monthly product covers heartworm, hookworm and roundworm. This product is safe to be given with other flea prevention products. This is for dogs only.

Interceptor- This product covers heartworm, whipworm and roundworm. This is available for both cats and dogs.

Program- This product covers flea eggs and larvae only. For cats it comes in a monthly liquid oral suspension, or an injectable form that lasts for 6 months. 

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