Rivapetz Petcare - products and information about caring for your pets

Important Parasites of Dogs

Fleas		Adult Fleas Flea Larvae Flea Eggs Heartworm Ear Mite Sarcoptic Mite Hookworm Roundworm Tapeworm Tick
	Present all year round
	Only 5% of a flea population live on your dog, the rest live in your home.
	Symptoms: scratching, skin irritation & flea dirt in coat.
	To manage infestations, treat all animals in the household once a month.

Heartworm
	Has been diagnosed in all states of mainland Australia.
	Transmitted by mosquitos.
	Symptoms: initial signs include coughing and lethargy, may eventually result in heart failure.
	Protect with either monthly or annual preventative products.

Ear mites
	Highly contagious, spread by direct contact.
	Account for many cases of ear infections in dogs.
	Symptoms: black discharge, shaking head.


Sarcoptic mites
	Contagious, spread by direct contact.
	Found in most areas of Australia.
	Symptoms: very irritated, inflamed skin, itchiness


Gastro-intestinal worms
	These include hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, tapeworm.
	May infect humans.
	Symptoms: vary with each worm but include poor condition and weight loss.


Ticks
	More prevalent in warm, humid environments/seasons.
	Symptoms of tick paralysis: strange bark, vomiting, ascending hind limb paralysis, eventuating in death.