This is Part Three of a three-part series on new puppy vaccination and prevention essentials.
As a new puppy owner, you can’t hide from the fleas, ticks, and other parasites that threaten your furry bundle of joy’s health. Parasites are often viewed as only minor annoyances, but they can cause serious illness in dogs. Plus, parasites can pose health risks to human household members who come into contact with infected dogs.
Parasite protection is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support long-term pet health. Parasite-protected puppies can focus on growing, learning, and socializing to become well-adjusted adult dogs living happy, Fear Free® lives. Here’s a quick lesson on common puppy parasites, associated health risks, and parasite protection strategies for new puppy owners.
Puppy parasite health threats
Puppies are vulnerable to internal and external parasites which can have a larger impact on small, young pets compared to larger, adult dogs. Many parasite species exist, but the main threats to your puppy include fleas, ticks, heartworms, and other intestinal parasites. Each parasite can compromise your puppy’s health in various ways, so you should know the following basics:
- Fleas — Fleas live and reproduce on pets and can quickly infest your pet and home. Flea bites may cause minor irritation or intense itching and allergic reactions. Severe flea infestations in small puppies can lead to anemia from excessive blood loss, and some fleas can transmit diseases or other parasites, such as tapeworms.
- Ticks — Ticks live in the environment and feed on pets, other animals, and humans. They can carry life-threatening diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Heartworms — Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes that pick up heartworm larvae from infected animals. As adults, heartworms grow up to a foot long and live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. Untreated heartworm disease can cause heart failure and death.
- Intestinal parasites — Intestinal worms and protozoa live in the intestines, where they leach blood and nutrients from your pet. Intestinal worms in puppies can cause blood loss, anemia, diarrhea, vomiting, and limited growth. Many young pups are born with intestinal worms or acquire them from their mother’s milk shortly after birth.
Pet parasite protection insights
Puppies can contract parasites in various ways, including:
- Direct contact with infected dogs
- Contact with parasite eggs in contaminated soil, food, or water
- Time spent in wooded areas
- Wildlife exposure
- Mosquito bites
No puppy is safe from parasites, so protection is critical. Pet owners should also learn about parasite transmission and infection signs to protect their furry pals. A recent study by Elanco revealed that although most dog owners understand how their dog could pick up intestinal parasites, such as by drinking from puddles or being off-leash in public spaces, only three out of four gave their dog protective medications.1
Many dog owners overlook the importance of parasite protection despite knowing the risks. However, your Fear Free® Certified Veterinarian recommends protecting your puppy, human family, and other community pets.
Inside and Out Parasite Protection
Although most parasites are treatable, elimination can be costly and frustrating. On the other hand, protection helps puppies avoid parasite-related health complications altogether. In some cases—particularly heartworms—parasite protection can save lives.
A broad-spectrum monthly regimen protects pets from major parasites. Fear Free Certified® Veterinarians recommend two products—one to address fleas and ticks and another to address heartworms and intestinal worms.
An example of such protection could include Credelio® (lotilaner), a monthly oral chewable that protects against fleas and ticks, and Interceptor Plus® (milbemycin oxime/praziquantel), a monthly chewable that protects against heartworms and intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms.
Parasite testing is another important aspect of a complete parasite control program. Puppies are at a higher risk for intestinal parasites, and require more frequent testing. Your veterinarian will check for fleas and ticks during routine check-ups, and you should bring a stool sample to each visit. The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends at least four fecal sample tests for parasites during a puppy’s first year.
Proactive protection: Getting started
Take these steps to keep your new puppy protected:
- Visit your veterinarian within one week of adopting your puppy for important health care, including a fecal screening and deworming medication.
- Schedule follow-up appointments for vaccine boosters, fecal screenings, and dewormings.
- Administer veterinary-prescribed heartworm and intestinal worm protection medication, such as Interceptor Plus, as soon as your puppy is old enough, typically around 6 weeks of age.
- Administer veterinary-prescribed flea and tick protection medication, such as Credelio, as soon as your puppy is old enough, typically around 8 weeks of age.
- Continue monthly medications to protect your puppy from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms year-round.
- Schedule your puppy’s first heartworm screening test at your veterinarian’s recommendations
Parasite protection is crucial for your puppy’s good health and creating a happy, healthy, well-adjusted adult dog. Find a Fear Free Certified Veterinarian to discuss a complete parasite control program and protect your puppy from preventable diseases.
Continue learning through Part One & Part Two of this series.
This article was reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Martin and/or veterinary technician specialist in behavior Debbie Martin, LVT.
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Sources:
- Elanco Animal Health. Data on File.
Additional Resources:
https://my.elanco.com/us/credelio-dog
https://my.elanco.com/us/interceptor-plus
Brought to you by our friends at Elanco.
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