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Parasite Prevention

Protect your pet from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and more with year-round parasite prevention plans.

Parasite Prevention: Protecting Your Pet Inside and Out
Parasites may be small, but the problems they cause can be serious. Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites not only make your pet uncomfortable, but they can also lead to major health issues if left untreated. That’s why parasite prevention is a cornerstone of responsible pet care.

At our clinic, we take a proactive approach to help keep your pet safe, healthy, and itch-free year-round.

Why Parasite Prevention Matters

Parasites are more than a nuisance. Some carry diseases that affect your pet’s organs, immune system, and even your family. Others, like intestinal worms, may go unnoticed until your pet shows signs of illness.

Preventive care helps avoid:

  • Itchy, irritated skin

  • Allergic reactions (especially to flea bites)

  • Transmission of Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and other tick-borne illnesses

  • Intestinal upset, weight loss, or anemia from worms

  • Potentially fatal heartworm disease

  • Risk of zoonotic transmission (parasites that spread to humans)

With the right plan in place, most of these issues are entirely preventable.

Common Parasites We Guard Against

External Parasites

  • Fleas – cause skin issues and may lead to flea allergy dermatitis

  • Ticks – can transmit serious diseases with just one bite

  • Mites – microscopic pests that lead to ear infections and mange

Internal Parasites

  • Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms – live in the intestines and can cause digestive problems, especially in puppies and kittens

  • Heartworms – transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworms grow inside the heart and lungs and can be life-threatening if untreated

Prevention Options We Offer

We tailor parasite prevention based on your pet’s lifestyle, age, and regional risks. Options include:

  • Monthly chewable or topical preventives

  • Routine deworming (especially for puppies, kittens, or outdoor pets)

  • Annual fecal exams and heartworm testing

Many of today’s preventatives offer broad-spectrum protection—one dose can cover multiple parasites.

What to Watch For

  • Scratching or biting at the skin

  • Scooting or licking around the rear

  • Visible worms in stool or vomit

  • Lethargy, coughing, or changes in appetite (potential signs of heartworm)

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s best to schedule an exam right away.

Parasite prevention is simple, affordable, and highly effective. Staying consistent with your pet’s prevention plan protects not only their health—but also your household.

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

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.