Why it matters
Preventative medicine
Pets are experts at hiding pain. By the time they act sick, a problem may already be serious. Regular checkups and simple tests can catch kidney, liver, thyroid and tick-borne disease early, often before your pet shows any signs.
Heartworm & tick test
Fecal test
Wellness bloodwork
Know the enemy
Parasites to watch for
Heartworms
Spread by a single mosquito bite. Worms grow inside the heart and lungs and can be deadly. Treatment is long, painful and expensive. Prevention is an easy monthly dose.
Fleas
Cause intense itching, skin allergies and hair loss. Heavy infestations can cause anemia in puppies and kittens, and fleas spread tapeworms.
Ticks
Carry Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, which cause fever, joint pain and organ problems.
Roundworms
Very common in puppies and kittens, causing a pot belly and poor growth. They can also spread to people, especially kids.
Hookworms
Tiny blood-feeders in the gut that can cause serious anemia in young pets. Can also infect people through the skin.
Whipworms & Tapeworms
Whipworms cause chronic diarrhea. Tapeworms come from swallowing fleas and show up like rice grains near the tail.
How they work
How preventatives work
Monthly chews
Topicals & collars
Long-lasting options
Year-round, every year.
Checklist
Keep them protected
- Give preventatives on the same day each month. Set a phone reminder.
- Use only dog products on dogs and cat products on cats. Some dog flea products are toxic to cats.
- Treat every pet in the home, not just the itchy one.
- Get yearly checkups and testing, twice a year for seniors.