Puppy Health

For a long time, tick paralysis was the main tick-borne disease Australian pet parents had to worry about. Now, there is another deadly tick-borne disease that is becoming a concern in Australia: canine ehrlichiosis.

Fleas, ticks and worms do not need much of an opening. A missed dose, a gap in coverage, or one convincing myth can leave your dog exposed. Here are six common misconceptions worth sending packing before these uninvited guests settle in.

Heartworm can live quietly inside a dog for months, or even years, before there is anything obviously amiss. Spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, these parasites can cause serious damage to the heart, lungs and surrounding blood vessels if left untreated.

Thankfully, heartworm disease is preventable. Learn how dogs get heartworm, common signs of heartworm disease in dogs, and how regular protection can help keep your dog safely off the menu.

Mange-causing mites may be microscopic, but they know how to make themselves noticed. They can leave dogs intensely itchy, with inflamed skin and hair loss, and one type can spread to other dogs and people. Learn what causes mange in dogs, which signs to watch for and how your vet can help send these microscopic troublemakers packing.

Tapeworms are quiet stowaways: they can live inside a dog without causing obvious signs. Often, the first clue is a rice-like segment in their poo, bedding or fur. Learn how these unwanted guests get in, what to look for and how treatment and prevention can help show them the door.

Worms are not the kind of guests you want settling in. Puppies can acquire intestinal worms from their mother and their environment. With their developing immune systems, they need more frequent treatment than adult dogs while they are growing.

Regular worming helps protect your puppy and reduces the chance of some parasites spreading to other pets or people. Follow our puppy worming schedule to understand when each dose is due and how to keep these unwanted guests off the list.