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Did someone say parasites?!

I hate them!

  1. FleaFLEAS
  2. TickTICKS
  3. LungwormLUNGWORM
  4. RoundwormROUNDWORMS

Did you know? ‘Parasites’ is a term that describes tiny creatures that can
live on or inside your dog, causing harm to your pet and potentially your
family. These include fleas, ticks, lungworm and roundworms.

Dogs are at risk of parasites. Some we can see. Some we can’t.

Some can be deadly to your dog and harmful for your family too. Take a look at the risks they pose...

Watch the video to find out more.

video

Fleas

Flea
Did you know?

Fleas can cause itching and skin disease and are a common, year-round problem1

Find out more about fleas >

Fleas are a threat to your dog all year round

Fleas are a threat to your dog all year round

Fleas are very common on dogs and can be a real menace. They can be found in the environment, hidden in places such as warm, carpeted houses, and outdoor shady areas, such as patios, decking and flower beds.

For every 5 fleas seen, there are 95 flea eggs, larvae or pupae hiding in the home or garden.1

Dogs pick up fleas when they emerge from cocoons and jump onto the pet. Fleas can cause allergies in dogs as well as transmit tapeworms.

Reference:

  1. Halos, L. et al. (2014) Flea control failure? Myths and realities. Trends Parasitol. 30(5), 228-233.

Ticks

Tick
Did you know?

Ticks can transmit serious infections (such as Lyme disease), and can be found on 1 in 3 dogs2,3

Find out more about ticks >

Don’t ignore the danger posed by ticks

Don’t ignore the danger posed by ticks

Ticks are often found on dogs across the UK,1 and they live in grass and vegetation. Dogs can pick up ticks when they walk in an infested area. Ticks attach to the skin of your dog and feed on its blood.

Ticks can transmit dangerous diseases2 – which may cause fever and organ damage – to both your dog and family.

For example, Lyme disease (a bacterial infection that can be passed to humans by infected ticks) and babesiosis (a parasite of red blood cells which can be fatal) may be transmitted by ticks in the UK.2

References:

  1. Abdullah, S. et al. (2016) Ticks infesting domestic dogs in the UK: a large-scale surveillance programme. Parasit Vectors. 9(1), 391.
  2. 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.

Lungworm

Lungworm
Did you know?

Lungworm disease can be deadly and can be picked up by swallowing or licking slugs and snails4

Find out more about lungworm >

Lungworm can be deadly

Lungworm can be deadly

Lungworm is steadily on the rise throughout the UK and Ireland.1-4

Dogs can pick up lungworm when they are exposed to infected slugs and snails, or even just by drinking contaminated water.1 Lungworms can live in dogs’ hearts and the major blood vessels supplying the lungs.

This parasite can cause coughing, heart and lung disease, bleeding and can sadly even be fatal.

References:

  1. Morgan, E. (2018) Lungworm in dogs: a local or national problem? Vet Times. 48(44), 16-17.
  2. McCarthy, G. et al. (2016) Geographical distribution of Angiostrongylus vasorum in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the Republic of Ireland. Parasitology. 143(5), 588-593.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Roundworms

Roundworm
Did you know?

Roundworms can be passed from your dog to your family and are associated with major health concerns including asthma, epilepsy, blindness and reduced learning ability5-8

Find out more about roundworms >

The risk from roundworms is very real

The risk from roundworms is very real

Roundworms are another parasite very commonly found in dogs – especially puppies.1

Roundworms and/or their eggs can be found in the soil, vegetation and poo of infected dogs although they may also be passed on to puppies from their mother.

Roundworm eggs can live in the environment for years and can infect people, with children being especially at risk due to their inquisitive nature.2

Roundworm exposure in humans is associated with major health concerns including asthma, epilepsy, blindness and reduced learning ability.3-6

References:

  1. Morgan, E.R. et al. (2013) Quantifying sources of environmental contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs. Vet Parasitol. 193(4), 390-397.
  2. Overgaauw, P.A. and van Knapen, F. (2013) Veterinary and public health aspects of Toxocara spp. Vet Parasitol. 193(4), 398-403.
  3. Li, L. et al. (2014) Asthma and toxocariasis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 113(2), 187-192.
  4. Quattrocchi, G. et al. (2012) Toxocariasis and epilepsy: systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 6(8), e1775.
  5. 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.
  6. Overgaauw, P.A. and van Knapen, F. (2013) Veterinary and public health aspects of Toxocara spp. Vet Parasitol. 193(4), 398-403.

Help your vet provide the flea, tick and worm control best suited to your dog with Parassess®, our parasite risk checker

Check your dog's parasite risk with Parassess® now

Fun activities

Music for dogs

A selection of relaxing tunes that may help your dog relax with our Spotify® playlist.

Listen now
Music for dogs

Colouring in fun

Keep the kids entertained or take some time for yourself to relax with some colouring therapy. Add your creative touch to these popular pets.

Download the colouring sheets
Colouring in fun

Make their birthday a real treat

Does your dog have a birthday coming up? Why not try making our delicious pet-friendly recipe to celebrate.

Make their birthday a real treat
Make their birthday a real treat

Build the ultimate garden fun run

Under, over, in, out, round and round, jump, climb… dogs love a challenge and you can easily make a fun obstacle course for them. Chairs, boxes, buckets, poles, laundry baskets. What can you think of to build the ultimate fun-run?

Watch the video
Build the ultimate garden fun run
  • Music for dogs
  • Colouring in fun
  • Make their birthday a real treat
  • Build the ultimate garden fun run

References:

  1. Halos, L. et al. (2014) Flea control failure? Myths and realities. Trends Parasitol. 30(5), 228-233.
  2. 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.
  3. Abdullah, S. Helps, C. Tasker, S. et al. Ticks infesting domestic dogs in the UK: a large-scale surveillance programme. Parasites & Vectors. 2016;9:391.
  4. Helm, J. and Morgan, E. (2017) Canine and feline lungworm infections in the UK. In Practice. 39(7), 298-315.
  5. Li, L. et al. (2014) Asthma and toxocariasis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 113(2), 187-192.
  6. Quattrocchi, G. et al. (2012) Toxocariasis and epilepsy: systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 6(8), e1775.
  7. 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.
  8. Overgaauw, P.A. and van Knapen, F. (2013) Veterinary and public health aspects of Toxocara spp. Vet Parasitol. 193(4), 398-403.

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.