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Any questions?

Here’s a helpful list covering the most popular questions dog owners have about parasites and  how they can protect their dogs.

For more information, please contact your vet practice.

Do I really need to protect my dog from parasites?

FAQ 1

Yes - a wide variety of parasites can infect dogs, affecting their health and wellbeing. All puppies and dogs are at risk from parasites – to find out how much your dog is at risk, why not take our parasite risk checker?

 

Take the Parassess® risk checker now >

Which parasites should my dog be protected from?

FAQ 2

Parasites can cause a number of diseases in dogs and, in some cases, even, death. Important parasites to protect your dog against include fleas, ticks and worms (such as roundworms and lungworm).

Can humans get parasites from dogs?

FAQ 3

The answer is, unfortunately, yes. For example, roundworms can infect humans and cause major health concerns – they have been associated with epilepsy, asthma and reduced learning ability in children.1-4 They can also cause blindness.

Where can my dog pick up ticks, fleas and worms?

FAQ 4

Your dog can pick up ticks in their home or outdoor environment. For example, from other household pets or from gardens and parks. Fleas, and roundworms too, can be picked up these ways. Your dog can pick up lungworm by accidentally licking or swallowing slugs and snails – or even their trails!6

Help! My home has become infested with fleas – how can I get rid of them?

FAQ 5

This can be a concern, especially when you consider every single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day.7 Multiply that by the fleas on your dog and that’s thousands of eggs in a month – with most of these falling off your pet and contaminating your home and carpets!8 Thankfully, the good news is that flea infestations can be effectively managed by treating your home and dog. Your vet can provide more information on this.

Why are puppies particularly at risk from parasites?

FAQ 6

Puppies by their very nature love to sniff, slurp, lick, and gobble up everything in their paths including dirt, rubbish, and (unfortunately) poo. These behaviours put them at risk of picking up worms. Also, through exploring their new environment, puppies can pick up fleas, ticks and worms lurking in homes, gardens and parks.

My dog doesn’t lick snail trails – do I still have to worry about lungworm?

FAQ 7

Unfortunately, yes. Your dog can pick up lungworm accidentally by even just drinking contaminated water.6 Preventing this parasite is important since it is becoming increasingly common.9-12

Is lungworm a risk in my area?

FAQ 8

Lungworm may be more common than you imagine: its numbers are on the rise9-12 and it is considered endemic within several countries in Europe, including the UK, Ireland, France and Spain. It is always best to check with your vet for more detailed information about your region.

What are the signs of worms in dogs?

FAQ 9

The signs of worm infections in dogs will vary according to the type of worm, and it is worth pointing out that each worm can affect dogs differently. For example, roundworms can cause problems with puppy growth.6 Lungworm can also cause breathing difficulties and can be fatal. If you have any questions about worms or notice any in your dog’s poo, you should contact your vet.

How often should I treat my dog?

FAQ 10

Continuous cover throughout the year, with a preventative medicine (for example given monthly) is the best approach. Regular prevention is especially important since dogs do not always show symptoms when they are infected with parasites. You should contact your vet for advice if you miss giving a dose to your dog.

Why should I worm my dog monthly?

FAQ 11

Only monthly worming can prevent deadly lungworm disease in dogs, as well as stop dogs shedding harmful roundworm eggs into the environment (which can infect people).9,13 Your vet can recommend the best parasite control for your dog.

What is the best parasite control for dogs?

FAQ 12

The best parasite control programme will be the recommendation your vet provides after considering your dog’s particular lifestyle. Find out how much your dog is at risk from parasites by completing our risk checker.

 

Take the Parassess® risk checker now >

My dog is pregnant, breeding or nursing. Can I use NexGard Spectra®?

FAQ 13

Yes, Nexgard Spectra® can be used in pregnant, breeding and lactating bitches.

 

Please note that use in breeding male dogs is still a decision for the prescribing vet according to a benefit-risk assessment.

References:

  1. Li, L. et al. (2014) Asthma and toxocariasis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 113(2), 187-192.
  2. Quattrocchi, G. et al. (2012) Toxocariasis and epilepsy: systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 6(8), e1775.3.
  3. Walsh, M.G. and Haseeb, M.A. (2012) Reduced cognitive function in children with toxocariasis in a nationally representative sample of the United States. Int J Parasitol. 42(13-14), 1159-1163.
  4. Overgaauw, P.A. and van Knapen, F. (2013) Veterinary and public health aspects of Toxocara spp. Vet Parasitol. 193(4), 398-403.
  5. Wright, I. (2012) Lyme disease: If you go down to the woods today are you in for a big surprise? Companion Animal. 17(6), 42-44.
  6. Helm, J. and Morgan, E. (2017) Canine and feline lungworm infections in the UK. In Practice. 39(7), 298-315.
  7. Beugnet, F. et al. (2018) Textbook of Clinical Parasitology in dogs and cats, Servet editorial - Grupo Asís Biomedia, S.L.
  8. Halos, L. et al. (2014) Flea control failure? Myths and realities. Trends Parasitol. 30(5), 228-233.
  9. Morgan, E. (2018) Lungworm in dogs: a local or national problem? Vet Times. 48(44), 16-17.
  10. McCarthy, G. et al. (2016) Geographical distribution of Angiostrongylus vasorum in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the Republic of Ireland. Parasitology. 143(5), 588-593.
  11. Morgan, E.R. et al. (2008) Angiostrongylus vasorum and Eucoleus aerophilus in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Great Britain. Vet Parasitol. 154(1-2), 48-57.12.
  12. Taylor, C.S. et al. (2015) Increased prevalence and geographic spread of the cardiopulmonary nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum in fox populations in Great Britain. Parasitology. 142(9), 1190-1195.
  13. ESCCAP. Worm Control in Dogs and Cats. ESCCAP Guideline 01 Third Edition 2017.

An educational service from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd (“BI”). Further information available from BI, RG12 8YS, UK. ©2022. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: May 2022. UI-CAN-0114-2021. Use Medicines Responsibly.