Milbemax

Q. Why do I need to deworm my pet?

A. Since our pets are exposed to parasites through various sources, it is nearly impossible to prevent them from coming into contact with worm eggs or larvae. Worming is essential both for your pet’s health and for lowering the risk of pets passing worms onto other family members. Routine deworming is essential to protect your pet and keep them healthy. Adequate hygiene measures, e.g. washing hands, regularly picking up your pet’s droppings, etc., also form an essential part of protecting your family from these nasty parasites.

Adequate hygiene measures, e.g., washing your hands and regularly picking up your pet’s droppings, also play an important role in protecting your family from these nasty parasites.

Q. When should I start worming my pet?

A. Puppies may have been infected before birth, by larvae passed on through the womb, or they may have been infected immediately after birth, because the mother’s milk may contain worm larvae. That's why experts recommend starting treatment from 2 weeks of age (as long as they weigh at least 0.5 kg) and then treat again at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of age.    Kittens should be dewormed from 6 weeks of age (as long as they weigh at least 0.5 kg), then again at 8 and 12 weeks of age. Nursing mothers should be treated at the same time as their puppies/ kittens.

Q. How can I tell if my pet has worms?

A. You may not be able to tell if your pet has worms because it may not show obvious signs. However, there are some signs that may indicate that your pet has worms:

• rubbing their bottom on the floor
• vomiting
• diarrhoea or abnormally smelly stool
• a dull coat
• loss of appetite
• lack of energy
• a swollen belly i.e. pot-belly - particularly with pups and kittens
• breathing difficulties
• coughing
• any unusual behavioural changes

If you look closely, you may occasionally see worms in your pet’s stool. Worm eggs are microscopic, so they can’t be seen in your pet’s droppings

Q. Should I treat my pet for Fleas as well?

A. Fleas can carry certain species of tapeworm and pass them on. Therefore, if you only worm your pet without treating it for fleas , you run the risk that your pet will be reinfected before long. The best way to keep your pet free of fleas is by regularly applying an effective flea treatment. Credelio™ is an effective and easy-to-give monthly oral tablet that kills ticks and fleas on dogs. For cats, Advantage™ administered once a month is very effective against fleas while Seresto™collars kill fleas and ticks, including the deadly paralysis tick, for up to 8 months in dogs and cats.