All of our pets are susceptible to a range of different parasites which may include:

• Intestinal worms: pups and kittens should be wormed every 2 weeks up until 12 weeks of age to protect against the potentially fatal whipworm and then monthly until 6 months of age. Adult dogs should be wormed every 3-6 months.
• Fleas: fleas are a constant source of irritation for many pets, especially in the warmer months. Routine treatment with a monthly or 3-monthly product year round can prevent fleas from becoming a problem in the first place
• Ticks: ticks in this area do not cause tick paralysis or babesiosis like in other parts of the country however they are still unsightly and can cause a large degree of irritation. Tick preventatives can generally be combined with flea treatments and are a must for any pets going towards the coast.
• Heartworm: heartworm is a parasitic disease spread via mosquitos. Following infection with larvae, adult worms lodge in the heart, causing numerous issues. Treatment is difficult and prevention is a much better option. Heartworm prevention can be in the form of monthly tablets/chews/spot ons or an annual slow release injection

Microchipping

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is injected under your pet’s skin. It can be done during a normal consultation. The microchip is embedded with a code unique to your pet and is the most effective form of permanent identification. This code is placed onto a national computer database, so it is particularly useful in the return of lost pets. They can also assist where the ownership of an animal is in dispute. In some states of Australia microchipping of pets is now compulsory.

If a pet is ever lost and is handed in at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter a microchip scanner is passed over the animal to reveal the unique code. The vet or animal shelter can then refer to the database to identify the name, address and phone number of the owner, so they can be reunited.

If your pet is not microchipped please give us a call to make an appointment to have one inserted.  If you find a lost pet please call us to arrange a scan; we can reunite microchipped pets with their worried owners.