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Dog

Cat

Deworming

Treating and preventing internal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms with trusted care.

Deworming & Parasite Control: Keeping Your Pet Healthy from the Inside Out
Parasites aren’t always visible, but they can cause serious health issues if left untreated. Deworming and parasite control are key components of your pet’s wellness care—helping protect them from discomfort, illness, and even diseases that can spread to humans.

Whether your pet is an adventurous pup or a stay-at-home cat, regular parasite protection is essential to their health.

Why Deworming and Parasite Control Matter

Intestinal worms, fleas, ticks, and heartworms can impact pets at any age. Some pets show clear signs, like scooting or vomiting, while others have no symptoms at all. Without proper prevention, parasites can lead to:

  • Digestive issues (vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss)

  • Anemia or malnutrition

  • Itchy skin or allergic reactions

  • Life-threatening conditions like heartworm disease

  • Transmission of parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms, to humans

That’s why prevention and routine screening are just as important as treatment.

Common Internal and External Parasites

Internal Parasites (Worms):

  • Roundworms

  • Hookworms

  • Whipworms

  • Tapeworms

  • Giardia

  • Coccidia

External Parasites:

  • Fleas

  • Ticks

  • Mites

  • Lice

How We Protect Your Pet

Our parasite prevention plans are tailored to your pet’s age, lifestyle, and risk factors. We offer:

  • Oral or topical monthly preventatives

  • Flea and tick treatments

  • Deworming protocols for puppies, kittens, and adult pets

  • Annual fecal exams to detect internal parasites

  • Annual heartworm testing and prevention

  • Treatment for diagnosed infections or infestations

If your pet is active outdoors, visits dog parks, travels, or lives in a multi-pet home, more frequent parasite prevention may be recommended.

What to Watch For

  • Visible worms in stools or around the rear

  • Diarrhea or vomiting

  • Weight loss despite normal eating

  • Excessive itching or biting at the skin

  • Scooting or dragging the bottom

  • Coughing (possible sign of heartworms)

If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to schedule a visit so we can test and treat promptly.

Protecting your pet from parasites is easier than treating the effects of an infestation. Regular prevention helps keep your pet comfortable, healthy, and protected year-round.

💙 Whether it’s a checkup, questions, or care needs, visit us—we’re here to be your partner in your pet’s health. Book your appointment today.

Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team.

Cats may stop using their litter box for many reasons, including behavioral issues like disliking odors in multi-cat homes or signaling that the box needs cleaning. Medical causes can include bladder infections, crystals, kidney stones, or chronic diarrhea. Senior cats may also struggle with boxes that are too high due to joint pain. If your cat suddenly avoids the box or cries out when trying to use it, it could signal a serious problem such as a urinary blockage and should be evaluated right away. The caring team at Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center is here to diagnose the cause and help your cat get back to feeling comfortable and healthy.

Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center must be sure your pet is healthy enough to receive vaccinations. Vaccinating a sick patient could make their condition worse or even be life-threatening! Depending upon your pet's overall health, your veterinarian may recommend splitting annual vaccinations into two visits to lessen the possibility of complications.

As with humans, preventative medicine and early detection are keys to health and longevity. Our pets age at a far faster rate than we do. Taking your dog or cat for an annual physical examination here at Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center is the equivalent of you seeing your doctor or dentist every 5-7 years. Only a full physical examination by a veterinarian can accurately assess the health of your pet and identify potential problems. If you have a senior pet (6+ years), we recommend exams twice a year for optimal care and health.

It's usually hard to tell by yourself at home, so please call us and describe what you're seeing. Signs of illness can include a significant decrease in appetite or activity level, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, limping, itching or losing hair, or eyes looking abnormal. Signs of emergencies can include trouble breathing, trauma, bleeding, stumbling, seizing, difficulty delivering puppies or kittens, and many eye problems. Call Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center immediately (603-642-9700) if you see any of these symptoms.

NH and MA state law (along with many other states) now requires that all cats and dogs be current on rabies vaccinations. If an animal is not known to be vaccinated against the disease and bites someone, NH and MA state law require a mandatory 15-day quarantine period. Additionally, if an animal is unvaccinated and bites someone, the state may require your animal to be euthanized and tested for rabies, and the owner can be held liable for any personal injury claims stemming from the bite. All good reasons to have your pet vaccinated against rabies! For your convenience, we offer both 1 & 3-year rabies vaccinations. For all other vaccines, Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center recommends vaccinating your pet once a year (especially if they go outside at all) to ensure they remain healthy should they become exposed to any disease preventable through current vaccinations. For more specific protocols, please consult with one of our veterinarians.

Call Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center hospital to receive a recorded message for the emergency hospitals we refer to. We typically refer to the Intown Veterinary Group.