How Do Fish Get Parasites?
Quarantine new fish for 4-6 weeks to prevent parasite spread and ensure their health before adding them to the main tank.
Top 5 Picks in Pet Care Technology
New technological breakthroughs happen all the time, and the rollout of new technology and gadgets is never far behind! From AI to trackers, we’re going to explore the very best in new pet care technology and also take a look at what pet owners across the UK are still waiting for.
How to Identify and Control Tiny Worms in Your Fish Tank
Properly identify whether you have detritus worms or planaria to determine the correct solution.
Bartonellosis in Dogs
Bartonellosis in dogs is a rare bacterial infection transmitted by fleas, ticks, or lice, not cat scratches.
The Complete Guide to Getting Rid of Fleas
Finding out your pet has a flea problem can be a real nuisance, but if left for too long, one flea can quickly become an infestation.
Bringing Home a New Cat
Whether you’ve decided to rescue, have gone through a breeder, or have found yourself opening your home to a cat for any other reason, there are a lot of things you need to consider when welcoming a new cat into your home. In this article, we’ll take you through the key things you need to remember when the time comes to bring your new bundle of fluff into your family so they can settle in properly and feel at ease in their new home.
How to Handle Worn Down Dog Teeth: Prevention and Treatment
Dog teeth can wear down due to attrition (teeth rubbing against each other) or abrasion (chewing on objects).
What is FIV in Cats?
There is a lot of confusion around FIV in cats, with many owners believing it to be the feline equivalent of AIDs in humans. This, however, is a myth. In this blog, we’re going to explain what FIV is, how you can spot it, and what you can do to care for cats positive for FIV.
Fact or Fiction: Can Cats Get Frostbite?
Cats can get frostbite, just like people and other animals. Though their winter coats will protect them to some extent, cats can easily get too cold in extreme temperatures. You may be wondering how stray and fetal cats survive the winter—sadly, some of them don't.
Dexamethasone for Dogs
Dexamethasone is a type of steroid that is used both in human and veterinary medicine. It is primarily used to reduce inflammation but also serves various other medical purposes. Used carefully, this medication can provide relief from a variety of diseases but it must be used exactly as directed to avoid serious side effects.
Exotic Pets You Can Own Without a License: State-by-State Laws
Every state has laws that determine what kind of animals can be kept as pets. These laws can change at any time and over the years, many states have added to their list of prohibited animals. Game and fish commissions, departments of fish and wildlife or conservation, and other state divisions dictate these rules that are found in state statutes and regulations. These documents can be difficult for some to discover and decipher because they are written in complicated legal language.
Tea Tree Oil for Fleas: Evaluating Safety and Effectiveness
Tea tree oil should never be given orally to pets as it is toxic if swallowed.
Deworming Your Dog: How Often Is Necessary for Optimal Health?
Puppies should be dewormed regularly for the first few months of life, typically during scheduled vaccination visits.
Hole-in-the-Head Disease in Saltwater Fish
Hole-in-the-head disease (HITH) causes erosive pits in fish and is primarily an aesthetic issue but can lead to secondary infections.
Tapeworms in Dogs
Tapeworms in dogs are rarely serious but can cause irritation, malnutrition, and weight loss if untreated.
Tapeworms in Cats
Tapeworms are a common parasite in cats that live in the intestines. They can be excreted in the feces and passed along to other animals. Some owners may notice tapeworm symptoms in their cat such as vomiting, diarrhea, a bloated belly, changes in appetite, or segments of the worms in the stool, but many cats can have tapeworms and not show any signs. For this reason, regular prevention and screening is important to keep your cat free from tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.
Ear Mites in Puppies and Dogs
Ear mites are highly contagious parasites that cause itching, inflammation, and discomfort in pets, requiring prompt treatment.
Velvet: Aquarium Fish Disease Identification and Cure
Velvet disease is a serious condition caused by dinoflagellate parasites, requiring immediate attention to prevent fish mortality.
Anchor Worms in Freshwater Fish: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Anchor worms are crustacean copepod parasites common in freshwater fish such as koi and goldfish, and they are visible to the naked eye.
How to Give Fish a Freshwater Dip or Bath
A quick freshwater dip is an effective first step to treat saltwater fish for parasites before quarantine.
Lice in Freshwater Fish
Fish lice are macroscopic parasites that cause lethargy, abnormal swimming, and itchy skin, and they can carry secondary infections.
Hookworms in Puppies
Puppies are highly susceptible to hookworms, which can cause severe anemia, diarrhea, and even death without prompt treatment.
Giardia in Dogs
Giardia is a microscopic protozoan parasite that causes giardiasis, a common intestinal disease in dogs, often leading to diarrhea.
Roundworms in Puppies and Dogs
Roundworms, particularly Toxocara canis , are common intestinal parasites in dogs, especially puppies, and can cause serious health issues.
Lice in Dogs
Lice infestations in dogs cause severe itching, skin infections, and fur loss, and require prompt treatment to prevent complications.
Diagnose and Treat Saltwater Ich (Cryptocaryon)
Saltwater ich, caused by Cryptocaryon irritans , presents as white spots on fish and can cause respiratory distress and lethargy.
How to Treat Heartworm Disease in Dogs
Heartworm disease is a potentially deadly parasitic infection in dogs. Without treatment, a dog with heartworm disease will eventually die. Although the disease can often be treated, prevention is the best way to keep dogs safe.
Neon Tetra Disease: Signs, Treatment, and Prevention for Healthy Fish
Neon tetra disease is a fatal, untreatable condition caused by a microsporidian parasite that spreads quickly among fish.
Are Your Dog's Worms Contagious? Here’s What You Should Know
Multiple types of parasitic worms can be passed from dogs to humans, including roundworms and hookworms.
Kitten Diarrhea Treatment: Recognize When to Call the Vet
Kitten diarrhea can result from various causes, including dietary changes, stress, infections, and parasites. Persistent diarrhea requires veterinary attention.
Puppy Roundworms
Puppies are commonly infected with roundworms, which can be transmitted before birth, through nursing, or by ingesting larvae.
Hookworms in Cats
Hookworms are common internal parasites in cats, causing symptoms like diarrhea, anemia, and skin lesions but are treatable.
How to Treat Diseased Marine Fish With Formalin
Formalin is highly effective in treating parasitic protozoan infections, flukes, lice, and fungal diseases in fish.
Worms or Parasites That Can Get Your Reptile Sick
Regular veterinary checkups, including fecal tests, are essential to monitor and manage your reptile's intestinal parasites.
Giardiasis in Puppies
Puppies often contract giardiasis by ingesting giardia parasites from contaminated water or feces, leading to digestive issues.
What to Do if Your Puppy Is Scratching and Itching
Puppies can itch for various reasons, including fleas, dry skin, ear mites, mange, allergies, and ticks.
Coccidia in Puppies
Puppies are at higher risk for coccidiosis in unsanitary or crowded environments, but proper sanitation can prevent infection.
Whipworms in Puppies
Whipworms are parasitic worms that cause diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, and weight loss, especially in puppies.
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Marine Ich, Velvet, or Coral Fish Disease
Amyloodinium ocellatum , the parasite causing Velvet Disease, reproduces rapidly and can devastate saltwater aquariums if untreated.
Can I Catch Heartworms From My Dog?
Heartworms are internal parasites transmitted by mosquitoes that primarily affect dogs but can also infect other animals.
Hyposalinity or Osmotic Shock Therapy for Marine Ich
Hyposalinity, or reduced salt levels in water, is an effective treatment for marine fish parasites during their free-swimming phase.
Black Spot or Tang Disease in Fish
Black Spot Disease is a parasitic infestation caused by Turbellaria flatworms, typically Paravortex, that appear as tiny black spots on the fish.
Toxoplasmosis in Cats
Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) is a single-celled parasite that infects many warm-blooded animals , including cats, dogs, and also humans. It is a parasite that, while a real concern for certain groups in the population, is often misunderstood when it comes to our feline companions. The parasite often doesn't cause any significant symptoms or concerns in a cat unless your pet has a weak immune system .
Worms in Dog Poop: What to Do
Worms in your dog's poop indicate intestinal parasites, which are often contracted through contaminated soil, feces, or grooming.
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Lara Hew 27 articlesLara is a photography major at UArts in Philly! In her free time, she likes to walk dogs and, of course, take photos. She also loves reading and movies, hiking, kayaking, and just anything that involves being outdoors. She has grown up with animals since she was little and currently has two dogs and a cat of her own.
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Peyton Shine 26 articlesPeyton originally from Michigan, but have lived in Philadelphia for 10 years. She grew up surrounded by animals, both at home and on her grandparent's farm. She now has one dog, a golden retriever-boxer mix named Cooper.
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Tiffany Salmon 47 articlesI focus on empowering my team through collaboration, transparency, and a shared sense of purpose. I believe in leading by example, maintaining a mindset of continuous learning, and encouraging others to think creatively and take calculated risks.
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Dana Minacapelli 47 articlesDana started her journey in the veterinary field in 2004 at an animal shelter in Corpus Christi, Texas. She immediately fell in love with the profession and nurtured her passion for helping animals that were in desperate need of a second chance. Here, she began implementing improved policies that mitigated disease control, managed a low cost spay/neuter program for the community, and made recommendations to the Board of Directors on best practices for the clinic as well as the shelter as a whole.
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Lizzie Youens 50 articlesLizzie has over ten years of experience as a veterinary surgeon with particular interests in animal behaviour, dermatology, and geriatrics.
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Hannah Clark 25 articlesHannah has worked at Pet Drugs Online for over three years, researching, writing, and publishing all of our blog content. She currently lives in Cardiff with her 5-year-old cat, Margot, and 2-year-old Cavapoo, Merida.