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Pets in the southeastern region of the United States and Texas are at risk for contracting parasites that thrive in warm, humid weather. Here’s a quick guide to your area’s top 5 most common parasites and how to protect your pet from infestations.
| Parasite | What are they? | What can you do about them? |
|---|---|---|
| Heartworms | Spread by mosquitoes, heartworms cause serious heart and lung disease that can be fatal in pets. | • Give your pet a monthly heartworm disease preventive. • Have your dog tested for heartworms every year. |
| Giardia | Giardia is a protozoan parasite that causes diarrhea and may be passed to immunocompromised people. | • Bathe infected pets after treatment. • Pick up feces promptly, keep your home clean, and practice good hygiene. |
| Hookworms | Hookworms are intestinal parasites that cause blood loss and diarrhea, most commonly in puppies. They may also cause itchy rashes in people. | • Give your pet a heartworm disease preventive that controls intestinal parasites. • Check fecal tests 4 times annually in puppies and twice annually in adults. |
| Fleas | Fleas are external parasites that infest pets and homes, cause allergic reactions, and can transmit diseases to people and pets. | • Administer veterinary-approved flea preventives to all household pets year-round. |
| Ticks | Ticks are external parasites that live freely but feed on pets and transmit serious, sometimes fatal, diseases to people and pets. | • Use tick prevention products on dogs year-round. • Do not use dog products on cats. |