Don’t Let Parasites Win: How to Spot, Prevent, and Treat the Top Pet Threats

Parasites are more than just an inconvenience—they can pose serious threats to your pet’s health and, in some cases, to your family’s health as well. Common parasites like fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms can cause a range of issues from mild discomfort to life-threatening disease.

At Fort Mill Animal Hospital, we believe prevention is the best medicine. With the right care plan, most parasitic infections can be avoided entirely—protecting both your pet and your household.

Concerned about parasites?
Contact Fort Mill Animal Hospital today.

Common External Parasites in Pets

Fleas

Fleas are small, fast-moving insects that feed on blood and multiply rapidly. A single flea can lead to a full-blown infestation in days.

Signs of Flea Infestation

Excessive scratching, biting, or licking
Hair loss or red, irritated skin
Flea dirt (tiny black specks) visible in the fur

Learn more about Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)

Flea Prevention & Treatment

Administer year-round flea prevention (oral, topical, or flea collars)
Vacuum your home frequently and wash pet bedding
Treat all pets in the home to prevent reinfestation

Ticks

Ticks attach to the skin and feed on your pet’s blood. They can transmit serious illnesses such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis.

Signs of Tick Infestation

Visible ticks attached to the skin
Lethargy, fever, or joint swelling (signs of tick-borne disease)

Read the CDC’s guide to preventing ticks on pets

Tick Prevention & Removal

Use vet-approved tick preventatives (chewables, topicals, collars)
Check your pet daily—especially after walks or hikes
Remove ticks carefully with tweezers, gripping close to the skin

Internal Parasites in Pets

Heartworms

Heartworms are life-threatening parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. They live in the heart and lungs, eventually leading to heart failure if left untreated.

Signs of Heartworm Disease

Coughing, lethargy, or difficulty exercising
In severe cases: weight loss, labored breathing, collapse

View the 2024 Heartworm Prevalence Map

Heartworm Prevention & Testing

Give monthly preventatives (oral or topical)
Schedule annual heartworm testing
Understand that treatment is costly and risky, making prevention essential

Intestinal Parasites

(Roundworms, Hookworms, Tapeworms, Giardia, Coccidia)

These parasites live in the digestive tract and are especially common in puppies, kittens, and outdoor pets. Many can also be passed to other pets—or even to people.

Signs of Intestinal Parasites

Diarrhea, vomiting, or bloated belly
Weight loss or poor coat condition
Worms visible in stool (tapeworms may resemble rice grains)

Prevention & Treatment

Deworm puppies and kittens on a schedule
Use monthly parasite preventatives (many heartworm meds cover intestinal worms too)
Clean up pet waste promptly to reduce environmental contamination

Zoonotic Parasites: Protecting Your Family, Too

Did you know that some parasites can be transmitted from pets to people? These are known as zoonotic parasites, and they’re more common than many pet owners realize.

Common Zoonotic Parasites

Roundworms: Can cause serious illness in children (e.g., visceral or ocular larva migrans), especially when eggs are ingested from contaminated soil or surfaces.
Hookworms: Infect humans through the skin, causing itchy rashes (cutaneous larva migrans).
Giardia and Cryptosporidium: Cause gastrointestinal illness in both pets and people via contaminated water or surfaces.
Tapeworms: Children may accidentally ingest infected fleas and become infected.

How to Reduce Zoonotic Risk

Wash hands after handling pets or cleaning litter boxes
Avoid barefoot play in soil where pets defecate
Keep pets on monthly preventatives
Deworm pets regularly, especially young animals
Pick up and dispose of pet waste promptly

By protecting your pets from parasites, you’re also protecting your children, houseguests, and yourself.

Year-Round Parasite Prevention: A Smart Strategy

Parasites don’t take the winter off—fleas, ticks, and heartworms can remain active year-round, especially in temperate regions like ours.

Why year-round prevention matters – AAHA

Best Practices for Keeping Your Pets Parasite-Free

Use vet-recommended preventatives 12 months a year
Schedule regular wellness exams and fecal testing
Control the environment—clean up waste, mow the lawn, reduce standing water
Monitor your pet daily for scratching, weight loss, or signs of illness

When to Contact a Veterinarian

Schedule a veterinary visit if your pet shows:

Constant scratching, biting, or hair loss
Diarrhea, vomiting, or a bloated abdomen
Coughing, lethargy, or difficulty breathing
Worms in stool or fleas/ticks on the skin

Contact Fort Mill Animal Hospital to schedule an appointment

Parasite Prevention Is a Lifesaver

Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites can cause severe discomfort, chronic illness, or even death—but almost all of them are preventable with the right care plan.

At Fort Mill Animal Hospital, we’re here to help you choose the safest, most effective preventatives and ensure your pet is protected all year long.

Ready to protect your pet—and your family?
Schedule a wellness visit with us today.

Don’t Let Parasites Win: How to Spot, Prevent, and Treat the Top Pet Threats