When we welcome a new furry companion into our family, we are responsible for their health and well-being. Along with vaccinations and proper nutrition, periodic deworming is essential for our friends to stay healthy.

It is necessary to establish an annual schedule of deworming, both internal and external to protect them effectively, always using products of proven quality and effectiveness, always with the approval given by our veterinarian.

Importance of Deworming

As far as parasites are concerned, we must apply the formula of better prevention than cure. It is much simpler and recommended to keep our pets protected from a possible infestation before waiting for them to appear and then starting to apply antiparasitics.

"We might not see them, which doesn't mean they're not there."

Parasites are difficult to notice when they are few and some require specific tests; if they are easily detectable on the skin (external parasites) or in the feces (internal parasites), it is a sign that the infestation may already be quite serious and, therefore, more expensive to eliminate. In the specific case of fleas, they can become really annoying and difficult to eradicate. They reproduce quickly and invade not only our animal, but can also spread to areas of the home (especially textiles such as rugs and sofas), forcing us to resort to powerful pesticides to get rid of them permanently.

Why are parasites so dangerous?

Parasites, whether internal or external, weaken our furry friends and cause all sorts of problems, such as unpleasant bites that can cause skin disorders. The most dangerous are the various diseases they transmit, some of which are potentially deadly. On occasions, fleas, lice, ticks and mosquitoes act as intermediaries for the internal parasites, transmitting them through the bite to the final host (dog, cat or human).

Diseases caused

These are some of the diseases that most affect cats due to lack of deworming:

• Feline infectious anemia : Also known as hemoplasmosis or mycoplasmosis, it is a parasitic disease transmitted through fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, although they can also be transmitted through bites or wounds between cats. The bacteria that cause this disease adhere to red blood cells, which causes antibodies created by the animal's immune system to destroy these cells to fight the infection. The shedding of too many red blood cells produces anemia in cats. If not treated in time by a veterinarian, it can be fatal. It affects more severely cats that already suffer from immunosuppressive diseases. Symptoms include decreased appetite, fever, depression, weakness, pale color and weight loss.
• Allergic dermatitis (FAD) : It is the most common condition caused by fleas and one of the most frequent dermatological problems in veterinary consultations. Flea bites are always uncomfortable and irritating, but many animals are especially sensitive to the saliva of this parasite. The itching and pain they feel makes them want to scratch non-stop, and they can even wound themselves. FAD causes alopecia, generalized itching, rashes, crusts, seborrhea, darkening of the skin in the affected areas and sometimes pyoderma lesions.

Other diseases such as Leishmaniasis and Filariasis , despite being more common in dogs, can also affect cats and other animals.

• Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of the sand fly. Many infected animals do not show symptoms for months, years and even may not show them at any time and remain only carriers. The evolution of the disease depends on the reaction that each individual's immune system has to the infection. The symptoms are very diverse, we can find hair loss, skin wounds that take time to heal, epistaxis, weight loss and digestive problems, among others. This disease has no cure, but there are treatments to reduce symptoms and the animal can lead a normal life in many cases. However, the parasites remain in the body for life and relapses can appear.
• As for Filariasis , it is transmitted through the bite of mosquitoes and, like Leishmaniasis, it is widespread in Spain, with the number of registered cases increasing every year. It is caused by worms measuring 15 to 40 cm that lodge in the heart and pulmonary arteries of our pets, obstruct the great vessels leaving the heart and affect the functioning of the heart valves. It can cause damage that affects important organs such as the lungs, liver and kidneys. Symptoms can take years to manifest and include lack of appetite, tiredness, weight loss, weakness, nosebleeds, coughing, swelling, and breathing problems. If not treated, it can cause death.

Many diseases that transmit the parasites have expensive and long-lasting treatments, requiring follow-up and control analyses. Antiparasitics are an inversion that will save us a lot of suffering in the long run, both for us and for our furry ones.

External parasites

There are many products on the market to protect our animals. Again we have to remember another popular saying, cheap can be expensive. We shouldn't skimp on something as important as the health of our pets. Applying products of dubious efficacy and origin can be useless, in addition to putting their lives at risk, since they are potent chemical substances that we apply topically or orally to the body. If we have questions about any product , we should always consult our veterinarian .

The products we will use will depend on each specific case. If we live in a rural or urban area, if we make frequent excursions to the countryside, the time of year (more should be applied in the warmer months). In the case of cats, although they do not leave the house, it is important to keep them protected, as the parasites can reach them through our clothes or shoes (something more common than we think) or, if we have a dog, through it.

When choosing a product, we must pay special attention to which external parasites it protects and for how long they take effect.

• Pipettes : They are a relatively innovative product, quick to apply and their duration can vary between 2 and 6 weeks. The most common is a monthly application.

• Sprays : Their action is immediate and they are indicated especially when the animal is already infected by parasites. The application is more complicated as it must be sprayed against the grain to reach all areas. Absorption takes time.

• Collars : Comfortable and lasting between 3 and 8 months.

We must always read and follow the instructions for use and consult our veterinarian with any questions. He will be able to advise us on the most suitable product for our situation and the habits of our furry ones. We must keep them protected throughout the year, but in the hottest months it is advisable to combine more than one insecticide product for external parasites, for example pipettes and collar.

All products on external deworming for cats here .