HEARTWORMS AND HOOKWORMS HAVE COME TO TUCSON!
posted by Dr. Deb on October 7th, 2009 in Dogs
During the summer, two dog parks in Tucson were temporarily closed while the grounds were treated for Hookworms and the mosquitos that transmit Heartworms!
Heartworm disease, once considered a rare threat in Tucson, is here. Heartworm disease can be fatal to dogs, cats, ferrets, and other exotic animals as these “earthworm” sized worms grow in and ultimately block blood vessels leading from the heart 
into the lungs. Even worse, treating pets for the Heartworms can be fatal as well. The best news is, though, that Heartworm disease is completely preventable with a tasty once-a- month chewable pill! Your veterinarian can test your dog (or cat, though indoor cats are at very low risk) and get him started on a prescription of Heartworm prevention medication.
Hookworms, intestinal parasites that also 
, have also been uncommon in our arid desert environment,are now much more prevalent (I have seen more cases of Hookworm in the last 2 months than in the last 16 years of practice in Tucson!) in our local dogs. Pets adopted from large group environments, like shelters, pounds, or pet stores are more likely to be infected. These pets may not show any symptoms while spreading the parasite around the environment where they defecate (like parks and apartment complex grounds). However, Hookworms are dangerous parasites, deriving their nutrients from ingesting their host animal’s blood, causing anemia and immune system stress. Furthermore, Hookworms can cause 
serious disease (blindness, liver failure, skin disease) in humans, who can become infected by coming in contact with the larvae living in the grass where dogs with Hookworms have eliminated! All new pets to a household should be tested and treated as soon as possible. Existing dogs should have a stool sample checked annually or whenever there is diarrhea, especially if they visit dog parks, city parks, grooming or boarding kennels or live in apartment complexes.
Conveniently, the same tasty tablet that prevents Heartworms also treats and prevents Hookworms!
Protect your pets and your family:
Contact us today to arrange Heartworm and Hookworm testing for your pet so we can get him or her started on Preventive medication right away!
