Effect of Wildlife on Your Pets

If your pet tends to spend time outdoors, there are chances that it will come in contact with different plants, animals and organisms. Some of them can even pose a serious threat to your pal as they might carry diseases that may be transmitted to them. In this article, we will have a look at some of the harmful diseases that can get transmitted to your pet from the wildlife which will help you remain vigilant about your pet’s health and arrange necessary treatments.

Tick-Borne Diseases

Ticks are external parasites that attach to both animals and humans and feed on their blood. They are capable of affecting your pet’s health by transmitting illnesses such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, etc. These parasites live on leaves or blades of grass and climb onto a host that brushes past them. They easily manage to grab your pet’s fur and travel down through the hair where they attach to their skin.

You can prevent these pesky parasites from infesting your pet by administering effective parasite control treatment. You should also keep an eye on them after they’ve indulged in outdoor activities to see if there are ticks on their body. You can try to eliminate ticks from your pet’s body with a good quality tick-removing tool or take it to a vet for specialised assistance.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are internal parasites that get attached to your pet’s intestines. Your furry friend may get infected with tapeworms by ingesting a flea with tapeworm eggs. Tapeworm infections can be addressed with the help of deworming treatments that kill the worms within the pet’s intestines.

Giardia

Giardia is an internal parasite that lives in your pet’s intestines and is passed in their feces. It can cause diarrhea and Giardiasis. Pets get infected with this parasite after drinking water from puddles or ponds or ingesting stools of affected animals. Animals such as muskrats, beavers, coyotes, deer and rodents generally carry the Giardia parasite. The infection can be treated with relevant treatments but your pet can get re-infected even after treating the dog.

Rabies

Caused by a virus that attacks the brain, Rabies is a fatal condition that can affect warm-blooded animals like dogs, cats and humans. The disease is generally transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. Therefore, make sure to have your pet vaccinated to prevent the disease.

Concluding Note

As pet parents, it is important for you to keep an eye on your furry babies while they spend time in the woods. Limiting their access to areas with a lot of plants and animals can help keep them safe from infections. In case you still suspect that your pet is infested with any parasite or worm, get in touch with a vet for a thorough check-up and treatment.