jungleforpets.co.uk

Informing you about parasites and the risk they pose to your pet.

Where you live and your local environment directly affects the parasites that your pet is exposed to. The risks could be lurking in the park or in your garden. Make sure you know about the jungle on your doorstep.

How your pet is at risk

Keep your pet parasite-free

It’s not always a walk in the park.

Dog-to-dog contact in the park can lead to the transmission of roundworm (through soil contaminated with parasite eggs), fleas and tapeworm.

The Poo Problem

Just one pile of dog poo can contain a million roundworm eggs and even if you scoop the poop, eggs can still remain in the left overs and could even go on to affect humans. Only monthly worming can you break this life cycle.

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Long grass is where these bloodsuckers lie in wait

Ticks attach themselves to dogs and cats to feed, causing irritation and discomfort.

Long grass

Ticks cling to the tips of long grass waiting for a passing meal ticket. If an unsuspecting cat or dog wanders by, the tick jumps on board and uses its specially designed mouthparts to bite into the skin. Ticks aren’t just uncomfortable for dogs and cats – they can also transmit nasty diseases, and will happily attach to you too!

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The flying pest that can cause more than just an itch

Dogs taken abroad are at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, which can transmit the potentially deadly parasite heartworm.

Travelling pets

Heartworm is not carried by mosquitoes in the UK but is a threat elsewhere in Europe and in other areas of the world; and therefore should be considered if you’re taking your canine companion on holiday.

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Hunting cats could bite off more than they can chew

Hunting cats and scavenging dogs are at risk of being infected by tapeworm, which can use small rodents as intermediate hosts.

The rodent host

Mice and small rodents act as an “intermediate” host for the ‘mouse’ tapeworm. If your cat regularly brings you home a ‘present’ – you need regular tapeworm control.

Hunting for birds

Cats love to hunt birds, but did you know that cats can pick up roundworm by eating birds that have swallowed parasites’ eggs?

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Deadly secrets hiding in your garden

Soil, birds, mice and even slugs and snails in your garden could be harbouring parasites including lungworm, tapeworm and roundworm.

Slugs and snails

Your garden can be a haven for lungworm carriers, slugs and snails, and if there’s poo on the ground, this could be harbouring roundworm eggs. Even if you scoop the poop, the eggs can remain in the soil and be spread everywhere by rain. Monthly worming is routinely recommended to keep Toxocara at bay ensuring these parasite’s eggs do not end up on your shoes, and in your house.

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Is there something lurking in your home?

Fleas are exceptionally clever, they can lay 30+ eggs per day which drop to the ground and flea larvae can hatch in your carpets. However, they will only hatch when it’s warm enough and when they know there is a suitable meal passing by. They can also cause some nasty reactions, so keep up the treatment all year round.

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Don’t let your dog be outsmarted by a fox

The hookworm Uncinaria stenocephala, which can be passed onto dogs, infects up to 68% of the fox population*.

Foxes

The fox population could be putting more dogs at risk of contracting hookworm and lungworm. Lungworm can be fatal, so if you see foxes out and about, make sure you add these parasites to your list of potential risks.

* Richards, D.T.,Harris S., Lewis, J.W., Parasitology (1995) 59(1) 39-51. Epidemiological studies on intestinal helminth parasites of rural and urban red foxes in the UK.