The More They Know

With so many parasites that can transmit disease and infect both pets and people, it’s critical to pet and public health that veterinarians educate their customers.

The wild weather swings we had when I started writing this column were a timely reminder that parasite prevention isn’t just a seasonal issue. Granted, some areas of the country face higher disease and infection risk from parasites than others, and at different times throughout the year, but the best protection is year-round. Case in point: in just a few days, we went from a low of -15 degrees – temperatures where no one is thinking about parasites – to highs above 60 degrees – warm enough for ticks to become active.

With the expanding geographic range of many parasites, the increase in vector-borne diseases, and fluctuating seasonal temperatures, the need to protect pets and people from parasites is always present. Many pet owners don’t understand the dangers of parasitic diseases not just to their animals, but to their family members as well, so educating them is an essential role for veterinary staff. The importance of preventing ticks, fleas and heartworm should be part of every wellness conversation this time of year and lead to discussing the many other parasites that can threaten pets.

I’ve seen social media ads touting “no prescription required for flea, tick and heartworm meds … It’s never been simpler to get vet-approved treatments for your pets … Say goodbye to the Rx runaround …”

Yikes! Veterinarian-approved treatments without a veterinarian? What could go wrong? After a bit more investigating, I learned that these products are shipping from Australia, Canada and elsewhere “all without the fuss of a prescription,” including many brands that aren’t sold in the United States. Reading through customer comments, it was obvious that many pet owners are ordering to avoid the cost of a heartworm test or veterinary visit to “save money.” All the more reason for your clients to make sure they’re educating pet owners about the risks of giving heartworm preventive to an untested pet, or the dangers of adverse reactions to flea and tick products from vendors outside the U.S., not only during clinic visits, but on social media, texts or emails.

Meet the parasites

Heartworm is a life-threatening parasite that is completely preventable, yet heartworm rates in pets are still trending upward nationwide. The American Heartworm Society (AHS) estimates that over 1 million pets in the U.S. have heartworm. Veterinarians need to send a strong message about the threat and why pets should be on preventive year-round. Many pet owners think heartworm is only a risk during the summer months, but data from Banfield in 2023 showed that rates of heartworm diagnosis stayed the same across all four seasons, with thousands of pets testing positive throughout the year.

All pets should have an intestinal parasite screen – or fecal – at least once a year, and more often, depending on the age and activity of the pet. Indoor/outdoor cats may hunt infected rodents. A study of dog parks found parasites in 85% of the parks tested. In both cases, these are intestinal worms that can be passed to humans, so asking questions about the pet’s lifestyle is important for making recommendations about more frequent testing. You can make sure your clinics are stocked with dewormer, as well as fecal collection kits, flotation solution, microscope slides and coverslips.

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) can plague nearly every furry critter, from guinea pigs and rabbits to dogs and ferrets, but are most common in cats. Nearly 85% of feline otitis externa – or inflammation of the ear canal – can be attributed to ear mites. They’re transmitted through contact with other animals, so animals in multi-pet households or dogs who play with pals at the dog park or daycare groups should be checked regularly. There are lots of treatment options for ear mites, from daily topicals to apply directly in the ear, single-use solutions, or monthly parasiticides like Revolution, Advantage Multi, Simparica or Bravecto are often effective. Familiarize yourself with the variety of products so you can discuss what works best for your customers.

Taking a pet to a pond or lake – even letting them play or drink in standing water – raises the risk of parasitic infections from cryptosporidium, coccidia, or giardia. These microscopic parasites live in the intestines and can be dangerous to both people and pets, particularly young puppies or kittens if they develop severe diarrhea. Pets are typically infected when they ingest water or soil that has been contaminated with feces.

Dealing with parasites is part of the daily routine at most veterinary clinics, so it can be easy for staff to become complacent and assume that pet owners understand prevention or remember their recommendations from previous appointments.

Despite their owner’s best intentions, it’s likely that pets will contract parasites at some point in their lifetime. Well-informed owners who are aware of the signs to look for and understand the importance of testing and prevention can keep parasite problems to a simple irritation versus a life-threatening condition.

Don’t give up

Clinics may assume they’ve lost their preventive business to online orders and don’t need to mention it, but with diseases on the rise and so many product options to choose from, it’s more important than ever for veterinarians to take the time to talk to pet owners, assess their lifestyle and their pet’s health history to determine which parasite prevention suits them best. Research shows many pet owners have serious knowledge gaps or have been given wrong information, so just asking “are you OK for flea and tick preventive?” at the end of an exam isn’t enough.

Dawn Singleton-Olson has more than 25 years of experience in the animal health industry, including distributor sales, manufacturing, practice management and as a zoo supervisor. She is a volunteer, fundraiser and board trustee for several humane organizations and the Omaha (Neb.) Police Mounted Patrol.

Photo credits:

istockphoto.com/chabybucko

istockphoto.com/simonkr