The importance of parasitic protection
To better understand the importance of deworming , it would be good to analyze the concepts of parasite and parasitism. Parasites are microorganisms that may lie free, attached or even encapsulated in the various organs of an animal organism. Parasitosis is the condition in which parasites now live at the expense of the animal organism and in some cases can cause various pathological conditions such as weakness, depression, weight loss, anemia, dull appearance of the coat, while due to their ability to transfer other pathogenic microorganisms from animal to animal, it is not uncommon for the animal to end up in death.
Parasites can be divided into two large groups, endoparasites, i.e. parasites that live inside our animal’s body and ectoparasites, which live on the outer surface of our little friend. Both endoparasites and ectoparasites can be treated, but mainly prevented with appropriate medication.
As for its endoparasites Dog and Cat They include many different species with the main ones being intestinal endoparasites. The owners can recognize the presence of eggs in their pet’s feces or even see adult parasites around the anal area. Many types of endoparasites They can also be transmitted to humans, mainly in the elderly, children and immunocompromised people, most notably echinococcus, so we need to be consistent with early prevention and hygiene.
What owners should know is that dog and cat deworming should be done throughout their lives and deworming should be done at regular intervals. Its frequency may vary depending on the age, lifestyle and living environment of the animal. More specifically, in puppies the first deworming starts from the10th day of their life and is repeated every 10 days until the age of 2 months. From then on, the repeat of the deworming treatment should be done every 2-3 months according to the advice of the veterinarian who monitors your pet. Antiparasitic drugs are available in various forms, such as paste, syrup, pill and ampoule administered epidermally and not orally.
In ectoparasites of dogs and cats belong to the familiar to all of us Ticks and Fleas. Many of us have themisconception That these parasites exist only in the spring and summer months, although increased temperatures favor their growth and multiplication, they can live in more unfavorable conditions, especially fleas. In addition to the itching they can cause, these parasites can also get us into bigger trouble. On the one hand, ticks, in addition to the blood they suck from the animal’s body, can transmit various diseases, the most common being ehrlichiosis, which can be fatal if not treated in time. Now as for fleas, they can cause allergic dermatitis, anemia, while they can transmit to the animal various types of endoparasites as intermediate hosts-carriers. Finally, it is worth mentioning here that both ticks and fleas, although they show a preference for a particular type of animal, are not uncommon times that they can be transmitted to the human body.
Now for the fight against ectoparasites there are many formulations in various forms such as sprays, ampoules, powder, collar and lately a special pill has been released to combat fleas more effectively. The frequency of use of these antiparasitic preparations varies depending on the form, but should mainly be done inMonthly. Due to the ability of fleas to survive in the environment for months without a host, in addition to applying antiparasitic treatment to our dogs and cats, we should be consistent in our observance of hygiene rules. In particular, animal owners should use a vacuum cleaner to clean the animals’ living space and emphasize the pillows and fabrics that their pet lies on, as they are an ideal environment for the growth and multiplication of fleas.
From the above, it is understood the urgent need for the preventive use of antiparasitic preparations against both endo- and exo-parasites to protect our four-legged friends but also in order to achieve healthy and safe coexistence with them.
It is important to consult your veterinarian before using any antiparasitic preparation as there are various risks when using them. The vet will suggest a special antiparasitic plan for your pet and give you advice on its proper application.
Source: www.pet4u.gr
