Parasites can be a persistent problem and make life uncomfortable for you and your pet. Luckily, the Ark has a comprehensive preventative care program. There are many things we can do both to prevent your pet from contracting ticks, fleas and worms, as well as treatments that can be performed if they do get affected. Here you can find all the information you need on the prevention and treatment of:
The Ark strives to streamline and take the difficulty out of preventative care for your pet. With so many parasites and different treatments to worry about, it can be easy to forget when your pet is due a worming tablet, or when you need to change your pet’s flea collar.
That’s why the Ark has implemented an innovative reminder service, either by text or email based off your personal preferences. This way you are automatically reminded when your pet is due their next tablet, heartworm injection or any other form of parasite control.
You can then either administer the treatment at home, or book your pet in for a consult to get any vaccinations they need. We also know how fussy some pets can be when it comes to taking tablets. If you are uncomfortable giving your pet a tablet or are concerned that they have managed to spit it out, our nurses are happy to assist you in administering tablets so you can be certain your pet has the protection they need.
If you have any questions about fleas, ticks or worms do not hesitate to call us at:
02-9416-1300. We look forward to see you and your pet.
The paralysis tick poses a real threat to dogs and cats in Australia. Without treatment, tick paralysis can be life threatening. We strongly recommend that you use comprehensive tick prevention, which in the long run is not only safer but also much less expensive than having to treat your pet in the circumstance that they contract a tick.
It’s important to stay alert during tick season (spring and summer) and keep an eye on your pet for ticks, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors or go for walks in the bush. We offer over-the-counter preventative care treatments which can help keep your pet free of ticks:
There is no treatment which guarantees 100% protection against ticks. We still recommend that you check your pet’s coat yourself as an extra level of defense. During the tick season it’s important to check your dog or cat daily for the presence of any ticks. Particularly if they have a long coat, as ticks are good at hiding and can be difficult to find. The earlier you find a tick, the less toxin they can give to your pet, and the better the treatment outcomes.
The best technique is the ‘finger crawl’ method. Move your fingers across the animal in a line, as it’s easier to locate the ticks by feel rather than with your eyes. It’s something that the whole family can get involved in! If you do happen to find a tick, it’s important that you keep searching. There’s a good possibility that they have picked up more than one. Some tricky places that ticks like to hide in include:
It is important to keep your pet cool (on a cold floor or in an air conditioned room) and calm, and do not give them anything to eat.
If the tick is small, remove it swiftly as possible. DO NOT SQUEEZE THE TICK’S BODY as this will cause it to inject more saliva. The best way to do this is to use a special tool called a tick twister, which removes it in a safe way, or use a pair of tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible. Bring your pet into the ark along with the removed tick. This will help us in assessing how long it has been on your pet.
If the tick is large or you are unsure about how to remove it, mark the fur above where the tick is with highlighter so we can find it easily and bring your pet to the ark as soon as possible
Even if they aren’t exhibiting any symptoms of paralysis, its important that you bring them to the Ark straight away to be monitored. Ticks start injecting your pet with their saliva as soon as they attach, so sometimes it can take a while for symptoms to appear, even if the tick is removed.
It is important to bring your pet to the Ark if you notice them experiencing any of these symptoms. The symptoms are listed from those seen earliest in paralysis to more advanced poisoning:
If your pet is experiencing tick paralysis, they will require treatment with tick anti-serum. Tick paralysis is life-threatening in both dogs and cats, and can be fatal even if treatment is administered. The earlier we are able to give your pet tick antiserum, the better their prognosis and chance of a swift recovery.
Your pet’s stay in hospital will depend on the severity of the paralysis. While in hospital, they will receive intravenous fluids to keep them hydrated as well as tick antiserum. Our nurses and veterinarians on duty will closely monitor your pet. We will not discharge them until we are sure that the paralysis in both their legs and throat muscles has subsided, so it is safe for them to eat and drink again.
Fleas can affect both cats and dogs – while not life threatening like the paralysis tick, they make life uncomfortable for your pet by causing excessive itchiness, and can lead to health conditions such as flea allergy dermatitis and anaemia, which will require further treatment. In addition, fleas can be passed onto their pet’s owners, making life very itchy for you too!
Signs of flea infestation:
At the Ark we recommend a treatment approach called ‘integrated flea control.’ This involves using two types of drug: an adulticide (to kill adult ticks) and an insect growth regulator (which kills flea eggs and nymphs). It is highly unlikely that your pet will develop resistance against both drugs. The combination treatment targets all stages of the flea life cycle so most often results in effective tick control. Even if you don’t see them scratching, it’s important to treat all pets in your household for fleas, as they can easily transmit the infestation to one another.
Adulticides: We stock a range of products for both dogs and cats that kill any adult fleas on their coat. We recommend the some products as they are effective as well as convenient and easy for you to administer at home. If you want to know more about these products call us at: 02-94161300
Insect Growth Regulators: For cats we recommend that you use Program which can kill flea eggs before they hatch. It is an injection that provides protection for up to 6 months. Program only targets flea eggs, and not the adult fleas, so it takes a few weeks for you to see a drop in the flea population if you are using Program alone. That’s why we recommend the program injection in conjunction with an adulticide listed above.
Most recurring flea infestations occur when flea eggs get trapped in the carpet or furniture, where they can remain dormant, and then months later hatch and latch onto your pet. Here are some tips to eliminate as many flea eggs from your house as possible:
Luckily due to good quarantine practice, Australia is not home to as many parasites as other countries. The most common intestinal worms that affect dogs and cats in Australia are tapeworm, roundworm, hookworm and whipworm. Regular administration of a de-worming tablet such as milbemax can easily control these parasites. Kittens and puppies should be wormed every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks old, monthly until they are six months old, and then every three months throughout their adult life.
How does my pet get worms?
Heartworm is an internal parasite that affects both cats and dogs and can be life-threatening and even fatal. The worm lives in the heart and lungs and feeds on an animal’s blood. Luckily, we can perform a simple blood test which can detect heartworm in cats and dogs, allowing us to both treat current infections and prevent infection from occuring.
How is heartworm spread?
Heartworm is spread via mosquitoes, similar to malaria. If a mosquito feeds on an infected animal, they can pick up the parasite and transmit it to the next animals they feed upon. Since it is mosquito-borne, heartworm can even be transmitted to pets that do not venture outside.
Heartworm prevention:
For dogs, we can administer an injection which provides yearly protection from the parasite. It is often given at the same time as your dog’s yearly vaccinations. For cats, or if you would rather non-injectable treatment for your dog. We also supply other preventatives in tablet form, or as chews or topical treatments for the back of the neck. If you need any advice or have any questions about heartworm prevention, our nurses are happy to assist you in finding the right product for your pet.
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