Parasite Control
Risk Factors and Considerations:
- Are there young children in the house?
- Are there individuals with compromised immune systems?
- Are there any pregnant women, or women who could become pregnant?
- Is the pet a service animal?
- Do pets frequently come in contact with highly contaminated environments (dog parks, kennels, etc)?
- Do pets have access to wildlife such as rodents, rabbits, birds, carcasses, fecal matter?
- Do pets ever roam freely?
- Are pets fed raw meat or organs?
- Any travel to or from southern USA or other travel?
- Any other pets in the household with increased risk?
- Does your pet have any history of seizures?
- Is your pet easy to give oral medications to?
- Does your pet swim frequently?
Answers to these questions will help guide which product is most recommended for your pet
Gastrointestinal Parasites
- Pets are typically infected with these types of parasites by ingesting parasite eggs
- Ingesting/licking soil and/or fecal matter
- Tapeworm can be transmitted through ingestion of fleas, rodents, coyote/fox feces
- Fecal testing for gastrointestinal parasites is recommended at least annually and more frequently for higher risk pets
- Fecal testing can help guide treatment recommendations and identify parasites that are not covered by typical intestinal parasite treatments
Heartworm
- Pets become infected when bitten by a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae
- 80% of all Ontario cases are located south of 403/402/401
- Prevention should be administered monthly from at least June 1st up to and including November (longer or continuous if there is travel to southern destinations)
- Preventative treatment is much simpler (and less expensive) than adult heartworm treatment
- Testing for adult heartworm can be done through a simple blood test and is recommended annually
- Routine testing for adult heartworm is necessary prior to going on prevention
- Heartworm in cats is not currently a medical concern in Canada
Fleas
- Typically, are seen during the warmer months from spring to autumn
- Each flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day; infestations can happen very quickly
Ticks
- Typically higher risk period is from March to November but can seek hosts any single day that it is above 0oC
- Our 4Dx test is a simple blood test which can detect Lyme disease
- Testing is not required in order to be on tick medication
Parasite Products Canine (Dog)
| Product | Heartworm | Intestinal Parasites | Tapeworm | Fleas | Ticks | Frequency | Delivery Method |
| Nexgard | NO | NO | NO | YES | YES | Monthly | Chewable tablet |
| Credelio | NO | NO | NO | YES | YES | Monthly | Chewable tablet |
| Bravecto (oral) | NO | NO | NO | YES | YES | Every 3 months | Chewable tablet |
| Bravecto (topical) | NO | NO | NO | YES | YES | Every 3 months | Topical |
| Advantix | NO | NO | NO | YES | YES | Monthly | Topical |
| Nexgard Spectra | YES | YES | NO | YES | YES | Monthly | Chewable tablet |
| Credelio Plus | YES | YES | NO | YES | YES | Monthly | Chewable tablet |
| Advantage Multi | YES | YES | NO | YES | NO | Monthly | Topical |
| Interceptor Plus | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | Monthly | Chewable tablet |
Blood work options (prices include tax): other options available. These are popular, seasonal blood work specials
$67.16 4Dx (tests for adult heartworm, Lyme, Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichia)
o Necessary prior to starting on heartworm prevention; recommended annually
$281.37 4Dx and Geriatric wellness profile
o Recommended for pets in the older age category (dogs >6-8 yrs old, depending on breed; cats >9 yrs)
o Great for patients on long term medications
o Helpful for detecting early signs of health concerns
o Tests red & white blood cells, liver, kidneys, electrolytes, thyroid
o includes the 4Dx test for heartworm
$162.61 4Dx and Mini Wellness
o Great for younger patients to get a baseline of normal
o Can be used for some patients on long term medications
o Helpful for detecting early signs of health concerns
o Tests red & white blood cells, liver and kidneys
o includes the 4Dx test for heartworm
Parasite Products Feline (Cat)
| Product | Intestinal Parasites | Tapeworm | Fleas | Ticks | Frequency | Delivery Method |
| Nexgard Combo | YES | YES | YES | YES | Monthly | Topical |
| Credelio | NO | NO | YES | YES | Monthly | Chewable tablet |
| Revolution Plus | YES | NO | YES | YES | Monthly | Topical |
| Advantage Multi | YES | NO | YES | NO | Monthly | Topical |
| Vitrecto | YES | NO | YES | YES | Every 2 mth for ticks, every 3 mths for fleas | Topical |
| Bravecto | NO | NO | YES | YES | Every 2 mth for ticks, every 3 mths for fleas | Topical |
| Profender | YES | YES | NO | NO | Generally every 3 months | Topical |
| Milbemax | YES | YES | NO | NO | Generally every 3 months | Tablet |
Blood work options (prices listed include tax). Other options also available. These are common, popular profiles
$204 Total Health Profile
o great all-around profile for general health assessment
o tests red & white blood cells, liver, kidneys, electrolytes, cholesterol, triglycerides
$234.66 Total Health Profile with Thyroid
o great all-around profile for general health assessment for older aged cats (>9 yrs)
o tests red & white blood cells, liver, kidneys, electrolytes, cholesterol, triglycerides
o tests thyroid
$266.33 Total Health Profile with Thyroid and Urinalysis
o great all-around profile for general health assessment for older aged cats (>9 yrs)
o tests red & white blood cells, liver, kidneys, electrolytes, cholesterol, triglycerides
o tests thyroid
o tests urine for signs of diabetes, infection, crystals, blood
