They are small, discrete and are experts at avoiding detection. But look closely and you may find parasites hiding on your dog. External parasites like fleas, ticks and mites can be found hiding in your dog’s coat, or living on or in their skin, while internal parasites like heartworm and intestinal worms live inside their body. Whether internal or external, these parasites can all cause disease. That’s why you need to keep your dog protected, inside and out.
Australia is home to a number of tick species that can infest dogs. Of greatest concern is the deadly paralysis tick. They are found along the east coast and a single paralysis tick can kill a dog if left untreated. They are most common in spring and summer but can be found throughout the year, so any dog that lives in, or visits a paralysis tick area, should always be protected.
Intestinal worms are spread via dog faeces, so can be picked up anywhere from the backyard to the dog park. In very young dogs, or if present in high numbers, intestinal worms can cause gastrointestinal disease, malnutrition and anaemia. Some worms may also infest humans. NexGard SPECTRA and ParaGard provide protection against the intestinal worms that commonly affect dogs in Australia.
