External Parasites: What Products Should I Choose?

Preventative care is an important part of owning and loving a pet. Annual vaccinations prevent common diseases and infections, and regular exams allow your veterinarian to catch health problems before they get worse. However, our Duarte, CA veterinarian recommends that all dogs and cats also receive monthly protection from external parasites.

Why Our Duarte Veterinarian Recommends Parasite Protection

No pet is immune to the devastating effects of parasites. Our Duarte veterinarian will screen your pet for parasites, but you can prevent them altogether with monthly medications. Parasite prevention products will prevent the following risks: 

• Extreme discomfort – Parasite bites cause constant itching and scratching, leading to rashes and abrasions  
• Behavior changes – Parasites affect your pet's appetite, energy levels, and general quality of life
• Organ failure and death – Mosquito larvae cause heartworms to grow inside your pet's heart, lungs, and other vital organs
• Human diseases – Many parasites, such as ticks with Lyme disease, transmit diseases to humans too
• Household infestations – When fleas lay eggs in your pet's fur, they may continue to breed on the surfaces in your home

Pet Parasite Products at Our Duarte Animal Hospital  

Fortunately, all of these health risks are 100% preventable. We offer several high-quality pet parasite products at our Duarte animal hospital, including these topical and oral medications:

• K9 Advantix II – Apply to your dog's skin every month to treat and prevent fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, chewing lice, and biting flies
• Feline Advantage II – Apply between your cat's shoulder blades to kill fleas, larvae, and eggs
• Frontline Plus – Both dogs and cats benefit from this topical medication, which kills adult fleas in 12 hours and ticks and lice in two days  
• Nexguard – Give your dog this beef-flavored "treat" to prevent fleas and ticks all month
• Heartguard Chew – Prevent fatal heartworm infestations with this monthly chew for dogs

At Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital, we want your pets to live long, healthy lives. Which products will you use to keep your dogs and cats safe from external parasites?