This spooky season we are giving some light to the creepy crawlies that can impact the health of our pets - parasites!
Parasites are organisms that live in or on our pets, and use our pets as a source of nutrients. This includes intestinal worms like hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms, as well as parasitic intestinal protozoa like cystoisospora and giardia. These parasites can be picked up by our pets from the poop of infected animals (or anything contaminated by that poop). Puppies and kittens often have intestinal parasites transmitted through nursing; dormant parasites in mom’s mammary tissue are passed to the puppies after birth. In the case of Tapeworms, they can be transmitted by eating fleas.
Parasites also include those that live on our pets, like fleas and ticks. Fleas naturally live in the soil and grasses, whereas ticks tend to live in more densely forested areas, tall grasses, bushes and low trees.
While these creepy crawlies all around us are enough to give anyone a fright, there is not much to fear! A strong immune system acts like an iron shield - and can prevent infection from occurring when the body is exposed to such parasites. Since 80% of the immune system lines the gut, a healthy microbiome will protect our pets from parasite infections, and should eliminate the need for repeated doses of deworming medications and chemical flea and tick preventatives.
We recommend an anti-inflammatory diet as the foundation for a strong immune system to build that healthy, strong microbiome!
If you notice worms in your pet’s stool, or they are experiencing diarrhea, its best to bring a fecal sample in for testing. While a large load of intestinal parasites may require deworming medication, we can often clear smaller infections with herbal dewormers, supplements and rectal ozone treatments. These alternative treatments are ideal because instead of weakening the microbiome and therefore the immune system (like chemical medications do), they actually strengthen the immune system and microbiome to prevent infections in the future. With a strong microbiome, immune system, and “iron shield,” those creepy crawlies aren’t so scary anymore.
The rest of your pets health (besides diet) includes a clean, healthy environment; a happy home; and lots of exercise - for their brains and bodies.
Thanks for having us as a part of your pets’ Team!
Parasites are organisms that live in or on our pets, and use our pets as a source of nutrients. This includes intestinal worms like hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms, as well as parasitic intestinal protozoa like cystoisospora and giardia. These parasites can be picked up by our pets from the poop of infected animals (or anything contaminated by that poop). Puppies and kittens often have intestinal parasites transmitted through nursing; dormant parasites in mom’s mammary tissue are passed to the puppies after birth. In the case of Tapeworms, they can be transmitted by eating fleas.
Parasites also include those that live on our pets, like fleas and ticks. Fleas naturally live in the soil and grasses, whereas ticks tend to live in more densely forested areas, tall grasses, bushes and low trees.
While these creepy crawlies all around us are enough to give anyone a fright, there is not much to fear! A strong immune system acts like an iron shield - and can prevent infection from occurring when the body is exposed to such parasites. Since 80% of the immune system lines the gut, a healthy microbiome will protect our pets from parasite infections, and should eliminate the need for repeated doses of deworming medications and chemical flea and tick preventatives.
We recommend an anti-inflammatory diet as the foundation for a strong immune system to build that healthy, strong microbiome!
If you notice worms in your pet’s stool, or they are experiencing diarrhea, its best to bring a fecal sample in for testing. While a large load of intestinal parasites may require deworming medication, we can often clear smaller infections with herbal dewormers, supplements and rectal ozone treatments. These alternative treatments are ideal because instead of weakening the microbiome and therefore the immune system (like chemical medications do), they actually strengthen the immune system and microbiome to prevent infections in the future. With a strong microbiome, immune system, and “iron shield,” those creepy crawlies aren’t so scary anymore.
The rest of your pets health (besides diet) includes a clean, healthy environment; a happy home; and lots of exercise - for their brains and bodies.
Thanks for having us as a part of your pets’ Team!