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There are many human medications that can be very dangerous for your pet, even in small doses. While these drugs are safe for humans, dogs and cats often metabolize them differently, resulting in very different effects. Coventry Animal Hospital will describe some of the most common medications that we see given to pets that can have serious consequences:

Tylenol (Acetaminophen): While Tylenol is considered a safe drug for humans to take, it can be fatal for your pets, especially cats. One pill is enough to be fatal as cats do not possess the liver enzymes necessary to metabolize it properly.  It will damage a cat’s red blood cells, limiting its body’s ability to carry oxygen to important tissues. Tylenol can cause severe stomach upset, ulcers and liver failure in dogs.

Other NSAIDS (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, etc): Any NSAID medication not prescribed by your veterinarian has the potential to seriously harm your pet. It can cause serious stomach upset – including severe ulcers. IT can also cause damage to your pet’s kidneys, eventually resulting in kidney failure.

Pseudoephedrine (cough medications, allergy medications, etc.): Any medication listed as “non-drowsy” may include this ingredient. This medication can be dangerous, even at low doses (just one tablet can be lethal in a small dog or cat!). Ingestion can result in vomiting, seizures, and death.

Sleep Aids (Xanax, etc.): While these medications are occasionally used in pets (depending on the amount), medications used for sleep aids in humans can actually have the opposite effect in dogs such as agitation, aggression, and hyper-excitability. This is often followed by severe lethargy. Sleep aids can result in lethal liver failure in cats.

Anti-depressants (Cymbalta, Prozac, etc): Similar to sleep aids, these medications are sometimes used in pets; but depending on the dose, can result in aggression, agitation, decreased appetite, and seizures. A cat having just one pill can result in a highly toxic dose.

Estrogen/Steroid Creams: Pets can easily be exposed to these creams by licking owners after the owner has applied them. While single time exposure may not be significant, regular exposure can cause bone marrow suppression and even result in an endocrine disease called Cushing’s disease. This disease causes weight gain, hair loss, and increases in drinking and urination.

All human medications have the potential to do serious harm to your pet and some can have lethal consequences. Never give your pet a human medication without first contacting your veterinarian. If your pet swallowed medications it shouldn’t have, get it to a veterinary clinic right away. The sooner you get it there, the more likely your vet with be able to induce vomiting and limit the dangerous effects medications can have. Make sure to let your veterinarian know exactly what medication your pet ingested, as it is critical information for your veterinarian to have to make an appropriate treatment plan to save your pet’s life.

Both public health and Coventry Animal Hospital staff take possible rabies exposures seriously and with good reason.  Rabies is a virus that is almost always untreatable and fatal once symptoms begin.  Positive wildlife cases have been confirmed in our area.

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a virus that requires direct transmission from an infected animal’s saliva to an open wound, such as a scratch or bite.  The virus will slowly penetrate to the local nerves and travel to the brain.  Once at the brain, it will cause neurologic symptoms in several stages.  The initial stage includes a personality change and licking the site of the original bite.  Later stages involve the animal becoming overly reactive to sounds and light, hallucinating and becoming aggressive and biting anyone in sight.   The last stage involves frothing at the mouth due to an inability to swallow and they become progressively paralyzed, from starting in the back end and spreading up to the muscles that control breathing, eventually leading to death.  Once clinical signs start, there is no treatment and it is nearly always fatal.  Unfortunately, rabies can be difficult to diagnose, as not all individuals will have these symptoms and other diseases that affect the nervous system can mimic rabies.

Wildlife such as bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes commonly carry this virus and are at risk for spreading it.  We recommend against handling these species, as exposure to their saliva may transmit the virus.  Any mammal (human, cat, dog, or livestock) that is bitten by these species may be at risk for rabies.

If you are bitten by any animal (wildlife or domestic), we advise you to contact your health care provider or the local District Health Unit (in our case, Perth or Huron County).  You also need to contact the Health Unit if you are bitten by your own cat or dog, as it may need to undergo quarantine.

If your pet is bitten by wildlife, please contact our clinic.   It is important to keep the vaccine status of all of your pets up to date due to public health risk.  Even dogs and cats that are exclusively indoors should be vaccinated routinely.

There is additional information available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Check out their educational website for children: http://www.cdc.gov/rabiesandkids/

Does your dog ever drink water from sources outside? Does your dog ever have bouts of diarrhea? If so, your dog may have Giardia!

What is giardia?

Giardia is a protozoal parasite that lives in the intestines of infected animals and humans. While feeding in the intestines, Giardia parasites eventually form cysts around themselves and are passed through feces into the environment. The cysts are able to live for months in many different environmental conditions, and so Giardia is very common.

Where do dogs get it?

Dogs are infected with Giardia when they ingest Giardia cysts. The cysts break down in their digestive tract and the cysts attach to their intestinal wall. The most common source of Giardia is from contaminated water. However, Giardia is very common in the environment (can be anywhere an animal has pooped).

What are the signs?

Most dogs show no signs of infection. Healthy adult dogs, immune system typically can handle the infection. However, in some cases, especially puppies, giardia can cause diarrhea.

How is it treated?

If your dog has diarrhea, it is best to take it to the veterinarian for a thorough physical exam. Here at Coventry Animal Hospital we recommend that you also bring a fecal sample with you (as fresh as possible!). Your veterinarian will be able to use this sample to check for Giardia. Once diagnosed, Giardia is easily treated with specific medications. You should also bathe your dog once you start treatment.

How can I prevent Giardia?

Since contaminated water is the most common source, preventing your dog from drinking water from outside is the best way to help prevent it. That being said, it is difficult to prevent your dog from accessing all sources of the parasite.

Can humans get it?

Humans can be infected with Giardia. Humans also get infected by ingesting the Giardia cysts. This can be done through drinking contaminated water, handling feces and not washing hands, or getting licked by an infected pet that has recently licked their bum! As with animals, most healthy adult humans can fight off the infection themselves with no symptoms. However, immune compromised individuals (children, elderly, pregnant, chemotherapy patients, etc.) could come down with severe diarrhea. To avoid infection, immune compromised individuals should completely avoid handling animal feces. All people should make sure to wash their hands after cleaning up after their pets.

What makes cats different?

Unlike humans and dogs, cats are obligate carnivores. Let’s consider how cats became domesticated. Cats were attracted to human settlements because the rats and mice that humans attracted were delicious and plentiful food sources. Essentially, cats domesticated themselves as they opted to live around humans to access these food sources.  

What does this mean for their nutrition?

What this means to cats’ diets is that they are obligate carnivores who thrive off diets composed mostly of water, then protein and fat, with little carbohydrates (basically the components of a mouse!). Cats get most of their water from their food and are most efficient at deriving energy from protein. In fact in one study, cats actually preferred to eat a higher protein diet that tasted bad versus a higher carbohydrate diet that tasted good.

So what should I feed my cat?

Here at Coventry Animal Hospital, we recommend feeding your cat a mostly canned food diet. Canned food contains more water and protein than a kibble based diet, which is more appropriate for your cat. However, not all canned foods are created equal and some can even be very high in carbohydrates. Ideally the protein source should be meat-based, as cats digest these more readily. You should speak with your veterinarian about the best food to feed your cat. Your cat should receive 2-3 canned food meals per day.

Should I totally avoid kibble?

While cats can thrive on a completely canned food diet, we understand that some cats do like to graze throughout the day. In these cases, feeding some kibble is perfectly fine for your cat. We often recommend a specific veterinary dental diet for cats, as these have been proven to reduce the risk of dental disease.  The focus however, should still be on feeding mostly canned food, with only some kibbles to nibble on through the day. You should speak with your veterinarian about the exact amounts you should be feeding your cat to ensure it does not become an unhealthy weight.

Will my cat gain weight eating more canned food?

No! While you always need to measure food amounts to ensure you are not over feeding your cat, cats that eat canned food tend to maintain a better body condition than those fed kibble. Feeding your cat canned food (being high in protein and low in carbohydrates) can actually help it lose weight. Kibble is far more energy dense than canned food and so it is far easier to over feed with kibble (or for your cat to over eat!).

Will eating more canned food cause bad teeth?

Only veterinary dental specific diets have been shown to help prevent dental disease in cats. Any other kibble does not have this effect. This is why we recommend a dental diet be fed with canned food. That being said, brushing your cat’s teeth is really the best way to prevent dental disease, no matter what it is fed.

How do I know how much to feed my cat?

The best thing you can do is contact your veterinarian. The Coventry Animal Hospital team members can examine your cat and know whether it needs to lose, gain, or maintain its current weight. They can then give you an exact amount of canned food and kibble that would be best to feed your cat. If your cat has any special health needs (diabetes, renal disease, arthritis, urinary crystals, etc), your veterinarian can also give recommendations as to the best diets and supplements that will help your cat with its condition.

Do you have a new kitten?  Are you considering bringing a kitten into your household?  Coventry Animal Hospital will give you the scoop on kitten ownership and what to expect in the first six months of its life.

Kittens begin developing personalities at a very early age, once their eyes and ears are open.  Generally, kittens are adopted between 6 to 8 weeks.  It is a good idea to select a kitten that has been raised with positive interactions with humans.  We encourage you to pick a healthy-looking kitten that has been socialized with other kittens and people.

Kittens are more likely to injure themselves through exploration than mature pets.  Showing them the ropes from the beginning of their life is important to their safety.  When bringing a kitten into your home, have a designated room prepared with food and water on one side and a new litter box on the other.  Many kittens will instinctively use a litter box, but their chances of success are improved if they have a quiet private area in which to use it.  The kitten will also need a scratching post, cat toys and several places to hide and safely climb.  This room should be “kitten-proof” with secure window screens that they cannot escape from and without elastic bands, string or other small objects that could be ingested.         

Developing a consistent feeding schedule can also decrease a kitten’s stress level when faced with its new surroundings.  After a week or so, when the kitten has acclimatized to its surroundings, it may be integrated into the household, but always returns to its safe room.

As with all pets, the best way to train them to adopt appropriate behaviours is to praise them when they behave in a positive manner.  Kittens love being spoken to in a gentle voice, being petted on their own terms and being offered tasty treats.  They will naturally be curious and want to play, so they should be directed to toys that they are allowed to play with.  Kittens should not be allowed to play with fingers, toes or articles of clothing.  It is recommended to expose your kitten to a carrier, as well as nail trimming, brushing its teeth, wearing a collar, getting brushed and having gentle play time.

An advantage of keeping a kitten separate for the first few weeks from other pets is preventing the spread of disease and parasites.  Kittens should have their first visit to a veterinarian as soon as they are adopted, in order to make sure they are healthy.  During the kitten consultation, preventive care, such as nutrition, behavior, deworming and vaccinations is discussed.  Other topics addressed during the series of kitten visits include dental health, pet insurance, microchipping and neutering or spaying.

Feline Vaccines

There are core vaccines and non-core vaccines:

Core vaccines:

1.  FVRCP -Combination vaccine which provides protection against1) feline herpes virus, 2) feline calicivirus (both of which cause upper respiratory tract infection) as well as 3) feline panleukopenia virus, which is also known as distemper.  Generally given at 8 weeks of age, then again as a booster at 12 weeks and 16 weeks.
2. Rabies – Generally given at 4 months of age.

Non-core vaccines:

1.  Feline leukemia virus -May be appropriate for kittens that could have exposure to other cats outside.  The kitten is tested for feline leukemia, inoculated at 12 weeks of age and again at 16 weeks. There is a small risk of vaccine reactions and ways to minimize these risks can be discussed with a veterinarian.

Very young kittens have maternal immunity (antibodies from the mother cat) which fade in the first few months of life.  Early on, maternal immunity will block disease, as well as vaccines, but when it has faded, will not prevent disease.  The purpose of the series of boosters is to ensure that the kitten is protected against disease during the window of time where maternal immunity is no longer protective.

Many kittens have parasites when they arrive at their new home including intestinal worms, giardia and fleas.  We recommend bringing in a fecal sample at the time of the kitten’s first visit in order to screen it for parasites.  The kitten will be sent home with safe dewormer and flea medication.

Spaying and neutering is recommended at 5 to 6 months of age, prior to sexual maturity.  Please take a look at our blog on heat cycles in female cats, as well as OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY. You can log on to our website to see our library of veterinary written health articles.

Take lots of photos of your kitten, it will be an adult before you know it!  Coventry Animal Hospital recommends annual exams for adult cats for ongoing preventive care.  Getting your kitten on preventive care at an early age will maximize its likelihood of many healthy years to come.

Just like people, pets can get allergies! It’s that time of year again in Perth County  – we are seeing flare-ups in allergy-prone pets. Signs can be as subtle as feet licking or can be as severe as pets chewing themselves raw. Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to what is typically a harmless substance. Usually the cause of the allergy is some sort of protein. The immune system overreacts to the protein and causes substances to release that can lead to intense itchiness and inflammation of the skin.

What are signs my pet has allergies?

• Feet licking
• Bum scooting/chronic anal gland issues
• Itchy ears/chronic ear infections
• Red/itchy/ulcerated skin
• Itchy skin around head and ears in cats
• Itchy/watery eyes
• Coughing/sneezing
• Diarrhea/vomiting

What is causing my pet’s allergies? How can allergies be treated?

There are many different types of allergies. Your pet can have one type of allergy or a combination of a few. More often than not, a pet with one allergy tends to be prone to developing others.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis        

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is an allergy to flea saliva. While all pets will be itchy with fleas, those with FAD have severe reactions, sometimes to the point where the skin becomes very inflamed and painful. The most common area you would see this is in the lower back area near the base of the tail. However, other areas can also be affected. This allergy tends to worsen with age and with more flea exposure.

Treatment involves regular flea prevention medications. It is best to use a veterinary specific medication as there is guaranteed efficacy of the products when used properly. Prevention is the best approach as even a single flea bite can cause a severe reaction. Some dogs with severe reactions may also benefit from other medications from your veterinarian that can help stop the itchiness. Some may even require antibiotics for bad skin lesions.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (Atopy) occurs when your dog or cat is allergic to environmental allergens. These allergens include pollen, mold, dust mites, and grasses. These allergens are all over the environment and impossible to avoid. Your pet can be exposed to these by inhaling them or through the allergies contacting and travelling through the skin. Common areas that become itchy because of this are feet, groin, armpits and belly. Some dogs can be itchy over their entire body. Other signs include sneezing coughing and itchy, watery eyes,

Treatment can be difficult with atopic animals. First line treatment often involves using a steroid medication to help itchiness and inflammation. Antihistamines can also be used but are often ineffective.

The best option is allergy testing. This allows us to figure out exactly what allergens are causing the issue. We can use this information to develop “allergy shots”, which are actually small doses of the allergen you give your pet to help desensitize them. Sometimes, in more severe or complicated cases, referral to a dermatologist may be the best option.

Food Allergy Dermatitis

Food allergy dermatitis occurs when an animal has adverse skin reactions due to allergens in their food. Most commonly the allergens stem from the protein or carbohydrate source. Some common food allergens include chicken, beef, soy, corn, dairy, lamb, salmon, rice, wheat and tuna. In dogs, signs associated with food allergy dermatitis are commonly itchy feet, itchy ears/chronic ear infections and itchy bums/chronic anal gland issues. In cats, the most common signs are itchy skin around the head and neck. Sometimes, food allergies in dogs and cats can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Treatment for pets with food allergy dermatitis involves a strict food trial. This means feeding a hypoallergenic food prescribed by your veterinarian. The key to doing this properly is to make sure that your pet only gets the prescribed food and nothing else! Even a tiny piece of meat can cause a bad allergic flare-up in an allergic animal.

Are allergies common?

Allergies are a fairly common finding in pets. Some breeds that are predisposed to allergies include Bulldogs, West Highland Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels. That being said, any dog or cat can develop allergies.

What should I do if I suspect my pet has allergies?    

The first thing you should do is take your pet to see a veterinarian! The veterinarians at Coventry Animal Hospital will take a detailed history and perform a thorough physical exam. This will allow us to determine whether your pet indeed has allergies and what type is most likely. We will also treat for any other secondary issues such as infections and recommend a plan to help keep your pet as comfortable as possible.

Can pets with allergies be cured?

Unfortunately allergies are not something that can be cured but they can be managed. The sooner the issues are addressed, the better off your pet will be. Seeing your vet as soon as possible when you have concerns means your pet will live a more comfortable and happier life.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by spiral-shaped bacteria known as leptospires.  The bacteria are transmitted by the urine, blood or tissues of infected animals.  Infection most frequently occurs in dogs but has the potential to occur in all animals, including humans and cats.  This is why we take this infection seriously at Coventry Animal Hospital.

The primary route of exposure is from wildlife such as rodents, raccoons or ground hogs.  For this reason, hunting dogs or pets camping, cottaging or living in rural areas have a greater risk of exposure.  Infected individuals may shed the bacteria into their environment for several months.  It can survive in water or soil for several weeks.  A domestic dog can become infected by drinking, swimming or walking through contaminated water.  The leptospires enter the body through a cut, eyes, nose or mouth. 

Leptospirosis may cause a range of symptoms in pets.  Certain pets may be carriers and not show any symptoms but have a risk of spreading the bacteria to other individuals.  Dogs often have vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, excessive drinking, abdominal pain, severe weakness, fever and muscle pain.  Many patients have severe liver and kidney damage that is seen on their bloodwork.  Blood and urine testing can be performed by a veterinarian to determine if a pet has been exposed to leptospirosis. 

Treatment is available for leptospirosis.  This involves antibiotics and frequently, hospitalization on IV fluids is also necessary.  Without aggressive therapy, or if not treated early, this disease may be fatal.  We recommended avoiding contact with your infected pet’s urine before the pet has received treatment. If necessary, gloves and protective clothing may be worn.  Due to the human health risk, we recommend informing your physician if you have had contact with a pet’s urine, blood or tissues during its infection.

Leptospirosis is preventable through vaccination of our dogs.  The vaccine is not 100% protective, since if does not provide immunity against all the different strains of the bacteria.  Vaccines may reduce the severity of the disease but will not prevent infected dogs from becoming carriers.  The veterinarians at Coventry Animal Hospital recommend removing standing water and controlling wildlife in the pet’s environment.   This will help reduce the risk of your pets coming into contact with the bacteria.

Welcoming a baby to the family is an exciting time and we should keep in mind that changes in our lifestyle may impact our pets. Cats and dogs are creatures of daily routine, so a new addition to the household can dramatically change their schedules and it is best to plan ahead.

Baby Proofing

A young child should never be left with a dog or cat unsupervised.  Coventry Animal Hospital recommends crating your pet, using baby gates and closing the nursery door, to prevent such situations.  When your child gets older, you don’t want him/her to enter the pet’s space unless the contact is under your supervision. 

You can spend time training your dog now, before the baby comes, to minimize its anxiety and ensure it continues to respond to commands once the baby is home.  Your dog will need to be able to come when called, sit, calmly stay in its crate or designated area, “drop it”, take treats gently, have no teeth contact with human skin and allow any part of its body to be handled.  In addition, your dog should respond to these commands from all of its family members.

Consider calming products for your pet in the home for a month before your baby is due.  Offering your pet a blanket carrying the scent of your baby can give it time to familiarize itself with the new family member.  Babies can make strange loud noises that may frighten your pet and it is important to use positive reinforcement to encourage your pet to remain calm.  Consider having mom greet the pet before introducing baby.  Initially, have one adult hold the baby while a second adult handles the pet.  You want your pet to form a positive association with the baby.  When your pet is calm around the baby, reward it with praise and treats.

Pet Proofing

In addition to “baby-proofing” your house, it’s important to “pet-proof” your home before the baby comes home!  Prenatal vitamins may contain high doses of iron, which can lead to toxic levels of iron in a pet if consumed.  Signs of toxicity include bloody vomiting and diarrhea, heart problems or even organ failure, seizures and death. 

Believe it or not, some dogs find dirty diapers to be quite tasty!  Disposable diapers themselves are not toxic, but due to their absorbent nature, they increase in size in the stomach and may cause an obstruction.  Pacifiers and nipple shields are also at risk of causing a foreign body obstruction. 

Diaper rash creams contain zinc oxide and often cause vomiting if consumed.  If this product is ingested for multiple days, it also has a risk of zinc toxicity. 

Vitamin D3 supplements for babies may cause fatal kidney damage to a pet unless hospitalized.  Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is extremely toxic to cats even at baby dosages.  It can cause death within 1 to 2 hours.  The toxic dose is slightly higher in dogs, but can still be fatal even with critical veterinary intervention. 

Teething products (such as Orajel) contain benzocaine, which can numb the throat and create a risk for aspiration.  In cats and dogs, benzocaine metabolizes into a poisonous component that results in blood that cannot transport oxygen.

 As with any potential toxin ingestion, if you believe your pet has consumed something that may be hazardous to its health, please do not hesitate to call our clinic at any time.

A little extra planning early on can go a long way to maintain a harmonious household when your bundle of joy comes home. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact Coventry Animal Hospital at 519-273-3471.

With the hot weather approaching, many of us in Perth County will be spending a lot of time around water and sharing that experience with our dogs. Whether it is by the pool, a lake, or a river, here are some safety tips from Coventry Animal Hospital to ensure that you and your dog have a happy and safe summer holiday.

• Always supervise your dog around water. While your dog may be a good swimmer, injuries and disorientation can happen easily with lethal results. If you have a pool, make sure it is fenced off so your dog cannot access it when you are not around to watch.
• Teach your dog to swim. Not all dogs are born great swimmers. Gradually introduce your dog to water for short periods of time. Allow them to practice and learn proper doggy-paddle technique! Start in shallow water first. If they really do not want to swim, do not force them. Not all dogs are water dogs.
• Consider your dog’s breed. Some breeds are built better for swimming than others. Short-nosed muscular breeds, such as bull dogs, may have a more difficult time staying afloat due to their body composition. They may also have difficulty keeping their short nose out of the water. Consider always using a life jacket for these breeds to keep them above the water while swimming.
• Teach your dog where the steps out of the pool are. It is important that they always know the easiest way out of the pool. Place a flag or large object at the steps that is easy for them to see while swimming and train them that that is where the exit is. Reward them for using the steps to reinforce it as the exit point.
• Always have a life jacket on your dog while boating. Even if your dog is a good swimmer, if he or she falls out of the boat and injure itself, his or her swimming ability could be severely affected. A life jacket will also allow him or her to swim longer and give you time to go back and find your dog in the water.
• Check water conditions before heading out. If there are reports that there is rough or fast flowing water, it would be best to avoid that area that day.
• Try to prevent your dog from drinking water outside. Pool water contains chlorine and can cause some stomach upset. Water from lakes and rivers can contain intestinal parasites and cause diarrhea. This water can also contain a bacteria called leptospirosis that can cause lethal kidney failure. If you feel it would be difficult to prevent your dog from drinking water outside, speak to us about getting your dog vaccinated against leptospirosis.
• Rinse off your dog. The chlorine in pools can cause skin irritation so it is best to give them a quick rinse when they are done swimming.
• Dry your dog thoroughly after swimming. Use cotton balls to dry out ears, as damp ears can lead to ear infections. Dry off other parts of the body as much as possible, especially around the head and neck area, as these areas are common for skin infections known as “hot spots”. This is especially true in long haired breeds such as Golden Retrievers. Consider keeping your pet’s hair trimmed short if you know they will spend a lot of time in the water.

We hope that by following these tips, you, your family and your dog will have a fun and safe summer!

The ground is starting to thaw in Perth County! Although winter temperatures likely killed most larvae from last year, the soil is now warm enough to incubate roundworm eggs. Adult roundworms are intestinal parasites. Here at Coventry Animal Hospital, we see many of these white spaghetti-looking worms in pets’ feces. Roundworm eggs cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Cats and dogs become infected by eating infective eggs or hunting rodents, birds or insects, which often contain larvae in their tissues. Once ingested, the larvae hatch out of the pet’s gut and migrate through its muscle, liver and lungs. After several weeks, the larvae enter back into the intestine where they mature into adult worms. The adult worms then breed and hatch eggs, which the pet releases into their environment when they poop.

Puppies and kittens are more likely to be infected as the parasite is also transmitted through their mother’s milk or the placenta (in the case of puppies). Many puppies and kittens don’t show symptoms of roundworm infection, but it may be the cause of being underweight or “runty”, having a pot-belly appearance and looking sickly. An animal with a roundworm infection may vomit or have diarrhea, both of which may contain adult worms.

We recommend testing all puppies and kittens for roundworm eggs by bringing us a fresh fecal sample on their first visit to the clinic. Our Registered Veterinary Technician performs an intestinal parasite screen in which the sample is examined for a variety of parasite eggs. Once your pet has a negative fecal test, we recommend a yearly intestinal screening test at the time of its annual examination.

If your pet is positive for roundworm, we recommend treating them with a veterinary-approved product. Larvae in migration cannot be killed by any products, so it is important for deworming to be repeated 2 weeks after the first dose. Due to the high likelihood of puppies and kittens being infected with roundworms, we put them on a deworming protocol when they come in for their first series of vaccines. Adult pets benefit from monthly deworming in the summer months. There are prescription products available that provide flea and heartworm prevention as well as intestinal parasite control.

Roundworm eggs develop into larva in their environment as early as 4 weeks, but may survive up to 5 years. A human is at risk of ingesting infective eggs from a contaminated environment – including children playing in sandboxes, gardening, eating unwashed vegetables and fruit or improper hand washing after handling animal feces. The larva has the potential to migrate through the human body, causing headaches, blindness and other symptoms.

Cleaning up your pet’s feces daily will dramatically reduce the presence of infective eggs for both your human and furry family members. We at Coventry Animal Hospital believe that through treatment and prevention, roundworms don’t have to impact our pets’ health or our interactions with them.