The Midwestern United States hosts many parasite species as the warming climate allows their ranges to expand and overlap. The Great Lakes region is a hot spot for Lyme disease, but pets must also battle several other parasitic threats. Here is a quick guide to the top 5 most common Midwestern region parasites and how to protect your pet.
| Parasite | What are they? | What can you do about them? |
|---|---|---|
| Giardia | Giardia causes diarrhea and may be passed to immunocompromised people. | • Treat and bathe infected pets. • Pick up feces and practice good hygiene. |
| Ticks | Black-legged ticks transmit Lyme disease and anaplasmosis in the Midwest. Other species may transmit additional diseases. | • Use tick prevention products on dogs and cats year-round. • Do not use canine products on cats. |
| Heartworms | Transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworms cause heart and lung disease that can be fatal in pets. | • Administer a monthly heartworm preventive. • Have your dog tested for heartworms annually. • Testing for cats is recommended on a case-by-case basis. |
| Roundworms | Roundworms are intestinal parasites that cause gastrointestinal effects in pets but pose a danger to children who accidentally consume infective eggs. | • Administer heartworm preventives that also control intestinal parasites. • Have fecal tests done 4 times a year for puppies and kittens and twice annually for adult pets. |
| Fleas | These external parasites infest pets and homes, cause allergic reactions, and transmit diseases to people and pets. | • Administer veterinary-approved flea preventives to all household pets year-round. |