Essential Worming Precautions for Puppies and Kittens D

When a beloved pet becomes a parent, many pet owners can feel a wave of anxiety. Questions like, "Can I still deworm my pet?" and "What deworming medications are safe to use during pregnancy?" often arise.

Don't worry! Today, we're here to guide you through what you should do!

What should you do if your dog or cat, pregnant or not, is found to have parasites?

External Parasites

Should you discover fleas, lice, or other external parasites on your furry friend, you can opt for external deworming medications that do not circulate through the bloodstream. Options like Baytril (for dogs), and Advocate (safe for both dogs and cats) are highly rated for safety and can be used by pregnant pets.

Advocate has undergone safety testing and is explicitly indicated as safe for use during pregnancy and lactation in dogs and cats. It is also effective against a wide range of both internal and external parasites.

Internal Parasites

When dealing with internal parasites, it's essential to assess the situation carefully—especially if you're not sure what to do. If your pet is showing symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting, it indicates a severe infection. Severe parasitic infections can harm both the mother and the developing fetus, so it's crucial to consult a professional veterinarian and follow their prescribed treatment meticulously.

It's advisable to deworm pets after the fourth week of pregnancy.

Recommended deworming medication: Choose a gentle topical drop that can effectively deworm, such as Advocate (safe for both dogs and cats).

Remember:

Parasite infections in pregnant dogs and cats can be transmitted to the puppies or kittens through milk, leading to issues like malnutrition, anemia, diarrhea, vomiting, and even death in the young ones. Since young pets may be too small to be dewormed safely, it's important to follow the vet's advice strictly regarding medication, which typically requires pets to be older than 6 weeks for dogs and 8 weeks for cats, and weigh more than 0.5 kg.

Prevention is better than cure! Take proactive measures to prevent deworming during pregnancy!

Since deworming is generally not recommended during pregnancy, most deworming medications on the market have not been tested for use in pregnant animals. The potential impact on the fetus is unknown, and improper use could lead to complications like abortion or stillbirth, so caution is paramount.

How to Prevent Parasite Infections?

Regularly deworm your pet to reduce the likelihood of carrying parasites.

Perform a preventive deworming two weeks before breeding to significantly lower the risk of infection during pregnancy.

Minimize outdoor activities during the breeding and pregnancy periods, avoiding grassy or shrubbery areas where parasites are more common. Also, prevent your pets from eating or licking things off the ground and avoid feeding them raw meat or cold foods to reduce the risk of parasites entering their bodies through their mouth.