Fleas are a small, external parasite, but they can cause serious discomfort and health issues for your pets. Flea infestations often lead to itching, skin irritation, hair loss, and allergic reactions. In severe cases, fleas can transmit diseases and other parasites, and even cause anemia, especially in young or small pets.

Ticks are external parasites that attach to your pet’s skin and feed on their blood. A tick bite may cause irritation, swelling, or infection, but the bigger concern is disease transmission. Common tick-borne illnesses include Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis.

Heartworms are an internal parasite that can infect your dog or cat through the bite of an infected mosquito. Once inside the body, heartworm larvae mature into large worms that lodge in the heart, lungs, and/or surrounding blood vessels, causing severe damage to vital organs. Fortunately, heartworm disease is almost entirely preventable. Monthly preventative medications are safe, effective, and far less costly than treating an active infection.

Intestinal worms like roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms can infect dogs and cats through contaminated soil, feces, water, or by ingesting infected prey. Once inside the digestive system, these worms can cause symptoms ranging from mild digestive upset to serious illness, including weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, poor coat condition, and in severe cases, anemia or intestinal blockage. Puppies and kittens are especially vulnerable due to their developing immune systems.