Roundworms are commonly inherited by pups from their mothers at the time of birth, even when the mother has been regularly wormed. (Roundworms are evolutionarily quite clever!) Pups are regularly wormed following individual manufacturers instructions during their first year.

Previously restricted to the southwest, the most threatening internal parasite for London’s dogs is now the lungworm. It is contracted through snails, slugs or their slime so large dogs with no taste buds such as Labradors are most at risk. Most dogs should be given internal parasite treatment every three to twelve months depending on their lifestyles. The frequency of treatment, once more, depends upon an individual’s lifestyle. External (spot-on) treatment for lungworm prevention should be carried out monthly in parts of England where this is a common problem. Although lungworm has now been diagnosed in London in dogs that have never left London, it remains uncommon. We can discuss with you a prevention programme appropriate for your dog.

If your dog visits Richmond Park or wooded areas outside of London, start tick control in March and continue monthly until the first hard frost in November. If your dog is exercised only in central London, the risk from ticks is much less. We can discuss with you whether tick control is needed.

Dog (and people) fleas are rare in London. Cat fleas, on the other hand are extremely common and dogs (and people) get bitten by cat fleas, usually from May until the first hard frost in November. If your dog lives with a cat that goes outdoors, start canine as well as feline flea control in March or April and continue until the first hard frost in late autumn. If your dog mixes with lots of other dogs consider the same routine.

The products we use most frequently are Advantix and Frontline.

Going Abroad?

The Continent is more dangerous to your dog because of parasite transmitted diseases. European ticks, for example, carry far more deadly diseases than their UK counterparts. Sandflies in central and southern France, Italy and all of Spain and Portugal transmit leishmaniasis to dogs. Mosquitoes in the Po River Valley region transmit heartworm.

If you are going abroad, telephone us telling us where you plan to visit. We’ll devise a prevention programme to protect your dog from parasites that live in the area you visit.