A Delicious Defence Against Parasites: NexGard Spectra

Prevention For The Whole Family

An essential part of dog ownership is keeping them safe from harmful parasites. Some parasites, such as intestinal worms and heartworms, can have serious, even deadly health consequences. Fleas and mites, while often seen as more of a nuisance, can cause significant discomfort and skin issues, as well as transmit diseases.

Beyond the direct impact on your dog’s well-being, some of these parasites can also be transmitted to humans. It’s worth noting that the larvae of Toxocara (roundworm) can infect humans and, in some cases, cause fevers, coughing, abdominal pain and permanent eye damage – though this is rare.

Intestinal Worms

The most common types of intestinal worms that affect dogs are roundworm, whipworm, hookworm, and tapeworm. They can contract these worms from their mothers, other animals, eating offal or other animals, or even from the environment. Ingesting fleas when grooming can also be a source of infection. Because intestinal worms have complex life cycles, adult worm infections are only part of the problem. Immature stages may be developing elsewhere, making treatment more challenging.

Signs of intestinal worms in dogs may include bloody diarrhoea, weight loss, dull coat, anaemia, pale gums, and weakness.

Occasionally, it may be possible to see worms in dogs’ feces or around their rear. However, specific tests are usually required to diagnose a worm infestation by detecting the presence of worm eggs.
It is important to know that sometimes there are no obvious symptoms of worms in dogs.

Intestinal worms can be transmitted to humans, with children being most at risk.

Fleas

Fleas are a common problem for dogs. These small, wingless insects are known for their exceptional jumping ability. Despite being called the “cat flea” (Ctenocephalides felis), it is the most common flea species infesting dogs in Australia. Fleas are more than just a nuisance; they can cause skin disease, irritation and, in large numbers, anemia. They can even transmit infectious or parasitic diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans.

Fleas are small and fast-moving, making them difficult to spot. They appear as tiny, dark red or brownish ovals. If you do see one, be prepared for it to disappear quickly as it crawls or jumps away. Sometimes, instead of the fleas themselves, you might see flea dirt on your dog. Flea dirt is actually flea feces and resembles regular dirt.

Dogs can acquire fleas from environments frequented by other flea-infested animals, such as your home, backyard, or other outdoor areas. The flea life cycle comprises four stages: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Only the adults live on your dog; the other stages are found in the dog’s environment. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day.

Surprisingly, adult fleas represent only about 5% of the total flea population. The remaining 95% consists of eggs, pupae, and larvae, which reside in your dog’s environment—their bedding, carpets, and even furniture. Flea pupae can remain dormant for up to two years under the right conditions!

This explains why a single flea treatment is rarely effective. New fleas can hatch and re-infest your dog, perpetuating the cycle. A comprehensive approach targeting all flea life stages is essential for effective control.

Heartworm

Heartworms in dogs earn their name because the adult worms live within dog’s heart and associated blood vessels, where they can grow to more than 30 cm in length. Adult female heartworms produce heartworm larvae, more commonly called microfilariae, which circulate in the blood of an infected dog.

Heartworms are transmitted from one dog to another by mosquitoes which pick up tiny heartworm larvae (microfilariae) in the blood when they bite an infested dog. The heartworm larvae develop in the mosquito and are transmitted when the infected mosquito bites another dog. The heartworm larvae then migrate through the dog’s tissue and circulatory system, eventually reaching the heart and lungs, where they grow and mature into adult heartworms.

Heartworms have the potential to cause serious illness in your dog. They may cause no clinical signs in the early stages of infestation, however, over time they can cause serious damage to the heart and lungs and dogs may develop heart failure which can be fatal.
Signs include coughing, lethargy, trouble breathing, exercise intolerance, weight loss, enlarged abdomen.
If a dog contracts heartworm, the cost of dog heartworm treatment can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the disease, and is not without risk.

The prevalence of heartworm in South Australia is lower than in other states with tropical or subtropical climates, but preventative treatments can help keep the incidence low and protect your dog.

Mites

Mange is a skin disease caused by parasitic mites that can affect both puppies and dogs. Mites are tiny, external parasites that can lead to skin disease and severe irritation of the skin or ears which can significantly impact your dog’s quality of life.

Sarcoptes mites pass easily from an infested dog to other in-contact dogs and cause an intensely itchy skin disease called sarcoptic mange. The mites can also be transmitted to humans.
Demodex mites are a typical inhabitant of a dog’s skin, which can cause skin disease if the immune system cannot control the mite population.
Ear mites, as their name suggests, inhabit the ear canals and surrounding skin. They can cause intense ear irritation and discomfort.
Demodex and sarcoptes mites live within the skin and are too small to be seen with the naked eye and are only visible with a microscope. Ear mites are also so small that it’s unlikely you will be able to see them.

Is It That Time Again?

As fleas, ticks, and some intestinal worms live in the environment, both indoors and outdoors, and heartworm is transmitted by mosquitos, consistent parasite prevention helps disrupt their life cycles and reduce the overall parasite population in your home.

When it comes to treating and preventing these parasites, convenience is key. Nobody enjoys the struggle of administering a foul-tasting pill to their dog each month. A more pleasant experience for both you and your canine friend makes consistent treatment, and therefore parasite protection for you and your family, much more likely. That is why parasite treatments that are given like a treat are becoming increasingly popular.

NexGard Spectra: A Tasty Treat

We recommend NexGard Spectra for dogs as a convenient broad-spectrum parasite prevention for your dog. NexGard Spectra for dogs is easy to administer, fast-acting, and effective.

Given once a month as a tasty treat, it helps to protect dogs from a wide range of parasites:

• Heartworm
• Intestinal worms (roundworms, hookworms, whipworms)
• Fleas
• Ticks
• Mites

Promotion

Paws At Prospect Vet offers a veterinary exclusive promotion on NexGard Spectra:

While NexGard Spectra is safe and effective for most dogs, this advice is general and does not consider your dog’s specific needs. We recommend discussing parasite prevention with your dog’s veterinarian as they can assess your dog’s specific needs.