Spring Weather has Arrived – Protect Your Pets from Fleas, Ticks, and Heartworm!

Ticks are coming! Once the temperature reaches 4 degrees Celsius, and even on warm winter days, ticks will leave their state of hibernation and become active. This means it is time to start thinking about protecting your dog from ticks. It is important to protect your dog since ticks can carry Lyme and other harmful diseases. We have many tick preventative products available, including tasty chews which are very easy to give, so please contact us today to discuss the best ways to safeguard your dog.

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in pets in North America, including Southern Ontario. It is caused by foot-long worms (heartworms) that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of affected pets, causing severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to other organs in the body. Heartworm disease affects dogs, cats and ferrets, but heartworms also live in other mammal species, including wolves, coyotes, and foxes. Because wild species such as foxes and coyotes live in proximity to many urban areas, they are considered important carriers of the disease. Prevention is key with this disease, as it can be fatal, so please book an appointment to discuss your pets risk assessment for summer parasites.

Written by Barriefield Animal Hospital