Parasites are an unfortunate reality in Australia – and owners must be vigilant to keep their dog’s safe. With so many products on the market (all targeting different parasites across different time margins) it can be confusing to know what you should be using. Luckily, we've put together a handy guide to demystify the process!
First things first, we’ve got to know what we’re dealing with. There are several different types of parasites to watch out for. Here are the major ones of concern in Australia that we'll cover.
- Ticks
- Fleas
- Intenstinal worms
- Heartworms
A guide to ticks on dogs
Oh, how we hate these! Ticks are a nasty, wingless, blood-sucking insect that attach themselves to your dog in search of a food source. Dr Alison Kemp from our Petstock vet team notes that paralysis ticks are of special concern, because they inject a powerful and potentially lethal neurotoxin into your dog. Bush ticks, brown ticks and cattle ticks are all also found in Australia. Yikes!
Ticks can be hard to identify as they have a different appearance before and after feeding. Prior to feeding, they will look like small brown, grey or red specks and after feeding they become engorged and will resemble swollen black dots. It’s important to check your dog all over their body after walks – paying special attention to their head and neck area. While ticks are most active in spring and summer, they are a nuisance year-round, so vigilance is important.
If you find any of these on your dog, remove them immediately – ideally with a tick remover or with tweezers if you don’t have one.
How to remove a tick from your dog
What you'll need:
- A jar or container to place the tick in after it has been removed.
- Gloves.
- Tick remover or tweezers.
What to do:
- Get a friend to hold your dog to keep it steady.
- Use the tick remover or tweezers to grasp the tick (do not squeeze!) and pull it off steadily. You want to avoid doing it too quickly and breaking the tick apart, leaving the mouth on your dog.
- Place the tick in a jar or container to allow the vet to identify it.
- Clean the wound area and wash your hands as well.
- Take your dog to the vet for further assessment.
How to prevent ticks and fleas
Prevention is always better than cure, particularly in the case of paralysis ticks which can be fatal. There are a lot of products on the market which can make things confusing. Here’s a rundown of one’s you can use to protect your dog against ticks.
- Aristopet: A spot-on treatment to apply fortnightly for paralysis ticks, monthly for fleas and cattle ticks.
- Bravecto: A spot-on treatment to be applied every six months to prevent against fleas and ticks.
- Nexgard: Chew treatments to prevent against fleas and ticks, to be administed orally every month.
A guide to fleas on dogs
Fleas are small, wingless parasites that survive by feeding on the blood of humans or animals. They’re usually no larger than a small seed and they’re brown or reddish brown in colour. Their bites cause irritation and itchiness, and their presence tends to indicate an infestation which will lead to greater discomfort if left untreated. To treat fleas, you need to remove all adult fleas as well as eggs and larvae to prevent future outbreaks.
Symptoms of fleas
If your dog has fleas, you should be able to see the parasites themselves. You should also be able to see ‘flea dirt,’ which is comprised of dried blood and flea waste that fleas leave behind. It looks like small black dirt-like specs, and it’s usually found in fleas go-to spots – around the armpits, groin, ears, belly and/or tail of your dog. Yuck!
Other signs to watch out for include:
- Excessive scratching
- Repetitive chewing or licking
- Frequent head shaking
Remember, if your dog appears restless and irritated, it’s a good idea to check over problem areas to ensure they’re flea free!
If you do find fleas, here’s what to do.
1. Remove fleas
First things first, you’ve got to get rid of those nasties currently taking up residence on your dog! You can use tablets, spot-on treatments, shampoos, rinses, or sprays to do this.
2. Clean everything
It’s surprising how much fleas can spread. Anywhere where your dog has had contact is going to need a thorough clean. Wash all pet bedding and blankets in hot water wither detergent and if your dog is allowed on your bed or the couch, you’ll need to clean these thoroughly too. You’re also going to have to give your carpets and rugs a good old-fashion vacuum. Don’t forget your outdoor areas as well – washing outdoor kennels and cutting grass back is also important.
3. Protect from future outbreaks
Even if you manage to irradicate every flea from your dog and home, future outbreaks are still possible. This is why parasite prevention is so important. You can use tablets or chews, spot-on treatments and even flea collars.
How to prevent fleas
- Advocate: A monthly spot-on treatment to protect against fleas, worms and heartworm.
- Aristopet: A spot-on treatment to apply fortnightly for paralysis ticks, monthly for fleas and cattle ticks.
- Bravecto: A spot-on treatment to be applied every six months to prevent against fleas and ticks.
- Nexgard: Chew treatments to prevent against fleas and ticks, to be administed orally every month.
A guide to intenstinal worms in dogs
Intestinal worms are parasitical worms which infect a host (in this unfortunate case, your dog) and take up residence in their intestines to feed off your dog’s ingested food and blood.
There are a few of them to watch out for:
Hookworms: There are several ways dogs can become infested with hookworm, including coming into contact with larvae-infested soil, or ingesting the larvae in food or water.
Tapeworms: Usually transmitted by fleas. Segments of tapeworm, similar-looking to grains of rice, may be noticed in your dog's waste or around their bottom. In some instances, your dog may vomit up segments of tapeworm.
Roundworms: Roundworms are long and resemble pieces of spaghetti. Infection can occur by ingesting infected waste. Infected dogs can even transmit it to their pups via the mammary glands during feeding.
Whipworms: Whipworms are long and thin at their base and are thicker at the front – resembling a whip. Infection can occur by coming into contact with infected dog waste.
Symptoms of intestinal worms in dogs
Common symptoms of worms include:
- Worms in faecal matter or vomit
- Scooting on their bottom
- Change in appetite
- Dull coat
- Round, bloated belly
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Lethargy
How to treat intestinal worms in dogs
Administer an intestinal worming treatment to your dog to get rid of worms. Bear in mind that to fully protect your dog, you need to give them this medication regularly to prevent future outbreaks.
'All wormers' are available in either a spot-on treatment or a tablet. They’ll protect your dog from all types of intestinal worms including roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, and whipworm. They also keep you safe too, as intestinal worms from dogs can be transmitted to humans (that’s a hard pass from us).
How to prevent intestinal worms
- Advocate: A monthly spot-on treatment to protect against fleas, worms and heartworm.
- Drontal: A chew to protect against intestinal worms, to be administered every three months.
- Milbemax: A chew to be administed every month to protect against intestinal worms.
A guide to heartworm in dogs
Heartworm is a nasty and potentially fatal parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes. It lives in the hearts and lungs of dogs and, if left untreated, it will be fatal.
Symptoms of heartworm in dogs
Heartworm disease is hard to detect as it establishes itself gradually and symptoms appear slowly. The most visible symptoms of heartworm disease in dogs are coughing, tiring quickly during exercise and overall lethargy. If your dog is showing these signs, it is best to chat with your vet.
Heartworm treatment for dogs
The only way to treat a full-blown heartworm disease is by going to the vet – even then, heartworm disease can be difficult to treat, particularly when the infestation is advanced.
When it comes to heartworm, prevention is the best method! You can do this with annual injections, or by administering tablets, chews or spot-on treatments.
If your dog is over six months of age and hasn’t been administered with a heartworm preventative before, it’s recommended to test for heartworm prior to starting treatment to ensure your dog isn’t already infected.
Frequently asked questions about parasite prevention
Does my dog need parasite prevention?
Yes! Regular parasite prevention is the best way to keep your dog happy and healthy. It is also far preferable to prevent parasite outbreaks than treat an infestation once it’s taken hold, so make sure you keep up to date with your chosen parasite prevention method and that you’re covering all bases (protecting against fleas, ticks, intestinal worms and heartworm).
How often should dogs have parasite prevention?
How frequently your dog has parasite prevention depends on what treatment you are using. A lot work on a monthly basis, but some treatments last as little as a few weeks or as a long as six months. Look at the directions on the product packet and set reminders to ensure you stay up to date. If you’re using more than one product, make sure you take note of doses, so you don’t forget which one is due next.
What kills parasites in dogs?
Most parasites can be killed by parasite-preventative medications – though some (like fleas and ticks) will still need to be removed manually and others (like heartworm infestations) will require visits to the vet.
Should I give my dog tablets, chews, or spot-on parasite prevention?
It depends on your dog and what they respond best to. Fussier dogs will spit out chews and turn their nose up at meals with tablets crushed in, so they’re better suited to spot-on treatments. If your dog