Pests to worry about in Middle Tennessee

Worms, fleas, ticks and other parasites are not fun—your pet would tell you if he could!
At Animal Ark Animal Hospital, we will help your pet live life better with an appropriate treatment that will rid their bodies of what causes them to scratch, itch and bite. Major concerns include:

Ticks

—second only to mosquitoes in the number of diseases that can be transmitted. Many tick-related diseases are common to BOTH animals and humans. Bobcat fever is a nearly 100% fatal disease to domestic house cats that are bit by a tick that has fed on a bobcat.

Tapeworms

—most commonly acquired when your pet grooms itself and swallows a flea which contains tapeworm eggs. Other species are acquired when a pet may eat a small mammal such as a rodent or rabbit.

Internal Parasites

—commonly found in kittens and puppies as they can be transferred via birth or milk. Intestinal worms not only deplete your pet’s nutrition but can contribute to intestinal obstructions, anemia and even cause pneumonia.

Heartworms

—a problem for dogs and cats. Heartworms are transmitted from a mosquito biting an infected animal and then biting a pet. Without a prevention product, your pet is at risk for this worm to take up residency in the heart (dog) or the lung (cat) which may lead to death.

Humans Contact

—we can be infected with intestinal parasites that originate from pet feces. Walking barefoot in areas where soil or sand has been contaminated in the last several months with infected feces can transmit some parasites through your skin.

It is best to prevent parasitic diseases through the usage of appropriate medications for your pet. Ask us what product best suits your pet’s needs!

Article by Dr. Paula Schuerer

Dr. Paula Schuerer received her BS in agriculture, DVM and MBA from Mississippi State University and since graduation in 1995 has practiced in the Franklin/Nashville area.  Her primary interests are surgery, dentistry, dermtology and small exotic mammal medicine.  In 2009, Dr. Scherer became a board certified specialist, per the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, in Canine and Feline practice.  She joins approximately a dozen others within the state of Tennessee that holds this advanced degree.  In 2017, Dr. Paula received her MS in biomedical science from the University of Missouri.

“After all these years in practice, I still absolutely love what I do and and look forward to what the next challenge is going to be.”