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Parasites

  • Fly Strike in Rabbits

    During the summer months, pet rabbits may be affected by maggot infestation. Different terms are used for this but fly strike is a common one.

  • Garlic

    Garlic, the bulb of the plant Allium sativum, is a well-known herb and popular ingredient for cooking. It is supplied in raw form as the fresh bulb; as a liquid alcohol extract; or in gelatin capsules.

  • Giardiasis

    Giardia is sometimes confused with worms because they invade the gastrointestinal tract and can cause diarrhoea. They are not worms; instead, they are one-celled parasites classified as protozoa and have been largely overlooked until recently.

  • Harvest Mite Infestations

    The harvest mite (Trombicula autumnalis) is a mite the larval stage of which causes considerable discomfort to cats and dogs during the late summer and autumn. The mite is not common in Australia and only rural cats are usually affected. The fluid injected by the mite is very irritant causing the cat to scratch, bite and lick which may result in extensive self-inflicted injury. Your vet will give you appropriate treatment.

  • Heartworm Disease

    Heartworm disease (dirofilariasis) is a serious and potentially fatal disease in dogs in many parts of the world. It is caused by a worm called Dirofilaria immitis.

  • Hookworm Infection

    Hookworms are parasites which get their name from the hook-like mouthparts they use to attach to the intestinal wall. Despite their small size, they suck large amounts of blood from the tiny vessels in the intestinal wall.

  • Infectious Diseases of Rabbits

    This is caused by the Myxoma virus which is widely distributed in the wild rabbit population. You might argue that your rabbit never comes into direct contact with animals from the wild and so does not need protection.

  • Intestinal Parasites (Worms) in Cats

    Tapeworms and roundworms are two of the most common intestinal parasites of cats. Tapeworms are long flat worms composed of many individual segments whereas round worms are much shorter and have rounded bodies.

  • Leishmaniasis

    This is a disease caused by a protozoan (single celled) parasite found in dogs and certain rodents in many part of the world. Thankfully the disease is exotic to Australia (foreign) and our isolation and quarantine have afforded us protection from this disease. A type of tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus is widespread in Australia and this may act as a vector for the disease if it gains entry to our shores.

  • Lufenuron

    Lufenuron is prescribed for the control of fleas. It can also help in control of allergic skin disorders caused by fleas (flea allergy dermatitis).