Parasite Prevention for Dogs, Cats & Pets in Southern New Jersey
Protecting Your Pet from the Seen—and Unseen—Threats
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
Parasites are more than just a nuisance—they’re dangerous, often invisible threats to your pet’s health. At Southern Ocean Animal Hospital, we offer comprehensive parasite prevention for dogs, cats, and other animals using customized prevention plans and advanced diagnostics. We protect pets from fleas, ticks, heartworms, intestinal parasites, mites, and more. These threats are especially prevalent in Southern New Jersey due to our warm, humid climate and high wildlife populations.
Key Takeaways
- Parasites can cause serious illness—or even death—if left untreated.
- Dogs, cats, and exotic pets are all at risk.
- Symptoms include itching, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and coughing.
- Year-round prevention is essential in Southern NJ.
- Southern Ocean Animal Hospital utilizes in-house diagnostics to quickly and accurately detect parasites.
- Prevention is safer, easier, and more affordable than treatment.
ELI5: Why Should I Worry About Parasites?
Imagine your pet has invisible bugs living in or on their body. Some of them bite. Some eat their food from the inside. Some even live in their heart and lungs. Gross, right? These are parasites. They’re sneaky, harmful, and hard to notice until your pet is already sick. That’s why we give them medicine to keep the bugs away before they ever have a chance to move in.
What Are Parasites?
Parasites are organisms that live in or on your pet and feed off them to survive. They come in two types:
- External parasites: live on the skin or fur (e.g., fleas, ticks, mites)
- Internal parasites: live inside the body (e.g., heartworms, roundworms, hookworms)
Parasites can spread easily from:
- Other animals
- Contaminated soil or water
- Mosquitoes, fleas, or ticks
- Ingesting infected feces or prey
They can infect even indoor-only pets and are especially common in Southern New Jersey due to its coastal environment, wildlife population, and warm climate.
Most Common Parasites in Southern NJ
🦟 1. Heartworms
- Type: Internal parasite
- Transmitted by: Mosquitoes
- Species affected: Dogs (mainly), but also cats and ferrets
- Lifecycle: Worms mature inside the heart and lungs, causing organ failure
Symptoms (in dogs):
- Persistent cough
- Lethargy or exercise intolerance
- Weight loss
- Labored breathing
- Collapse in advanced cases
Symptoms (in cats):
- Asthma-like symptoms
- Sudden collapse or death (in rare, severe cases)
Why It’s Dangerous:
Heartworms can be deadly and are difficult and expensive to treat. Prevention is the only safe option.
🐛 2. Intestinal Worms
- Includes: Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms
- Species affected: Dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, and even reptiles
Symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (often bloody)
- Pot-bellied appearance (especially in puppies/kittens)
- Weight loss despite normal appetite
- Worms are visible in stool or vomit
Zoonotic Risk:
Many intestinal worms can be transmitted to humans, especially children. Roundworms can cause vision loss in humans.
🕷️ 3. Ticks
- Species in NJ: Deer ticks (black-legged), American dog ticks, lone star ticks
- Diseases transmitted:
- Lyme disease
- Ehrlichiosis
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
Symptoms in Pets:
- Lameness or shifting leg pain
- Fever
- Swollen joints
- Lethargy
- Appetite loss
Ticks are prevalent in the Pine Barrens, grassy fields, wooded trails, and even suburban backyards.
🐜 4. Fleas
- Species affected: Dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits
- Can cause:
- Itching, scratching, and biting at the skin
- Hair loss
- Flea allergy dermatitis
- Anemia (in severe cases)
- Tapeworms (from ingesting infected fleas)
Fleas reproduce rapidly. One flea can lead to hundreds in just days, infesting your home and furniture.
🐾 5. Mites
- Includes: Ear mites, Demodex, Sarcoptes (scabies)
- Symptoms:
- Intense itching
- Hair loss
- Crusty, scabby skin
- Head shaking (ear mites)
- Secondary infections
Sarcoptic mange (scabies) is contagious to humans.
🐁 6. Giardia and Coccidia
- Protozoal parasites affecting the intestinal tract
- Spread through contaminated water, food, or feces
Symptoms:
- Diarrhea (often watery or mucousy)
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
Common in puppies, kittens, and pets in shelters or pet stores.
Parasite Prevention by Species
🐶 Dogs
- Monthly heartworm preventative (oral or topical)
- Monthly flea and tick prevention
- Annual fecal testing for intestinal parasites
- Year-round protection is essential in Southern NJ
🐱 Cats
- Indoor cats still need parasite protection
- Heartworm prevention (topical)
- Flea/tick prevention
- Deworming as needed
- Fecal testing annually
🐰🐹🐍 Other Pets (Exotics, Small Mammals, Reptiles)
- Rabbits: May carry fleas or ear mites; regular checks recommended
- Ferrets: Heartworm preventatives and flea control
- Reptiles: Require fecal screenings for internal parasites, especially if wild-caught
- Birds: Fecal parasite testing and environment management
How Are Parasites Diagnosed?
At Southern Ocean Animal Hospital, we use advanced in-house diagnostic equipment for fast, accurate detection:
Our Equipment Includes:
- EDAN Acclarix AX3 Ultrasound – to check for heartworm damage or abdominal abnormalities
- In-house Fecal Floatation & Giardia ELISA Testing – immediate detection of intestinal parasites
- Digital Microscopy – for identifying mites and skin parasites
- Bionet Super Air Smart ICU – to stabilize severely anemic or infected pets
- VetOvation Endoscope/Otoscope – for detecting ear mites or internal infestations
Fast diagnostics = earlier treatment = better outcomes.
Symptoms to Watch For
If your pet shows any of the following signs, they may have a parasitic infection:
- Persistent scratching or biting
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Coughing or wheezing
- Lethargy or weakness
- Sudden weight loss
- Hair loss or skin irritation
- Worms or rice-like segments in stool
- Scooting or licking the rear
When to Start Parasite Prevention
Puppies & Kittens:
- Deworming begins at 2–4 weeks of age
- Start flea/tick preventatives around 6–8 weeks
- Heartworm prevention typically begins by 8 weeks
Adult Pets:
- Year-round preventatives recommended for fleas, ticks, and heartworms
- Annual fecal tests and bloodwork for early detection
Senior Pets:
- Same as adults, but more frequent screening if the immune system is compromised
Why Year-Round Prevention Matters in Southern NJ
Southern New Jersey’s relatively mild winters allow parasites like ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes to stay active year-round. Waiting until spring or summer may be too late.
Fun Fact: Ticks in NJ can be active even on 40°F days!
Examples: Parasites in the Real World
Case 1: Heartworm in a Rescue Dog
A recently adopted dog from the South came in with a mild cough. A heartworm test revealed a severe infestation. With fast diagnostics and a treatment plan, the dog survived, but the process was long and expensive.
Lesson: Prevent before it’s too late.
Case 2: Flea Infestation in an Indoor Cat
An indoor-only cat presented with itching and scabbing. Despite no outdoor access, fleas were brought into the home on shoes. After treatment, the house and cat were both cleared of fleas.
Lesson: Indoor pets need protection, too.
Parasite Prevention = Pet Health Protection
Benefits of Year-Round Parasite Prevention:
- Prevents life-threatening illnesses
- Saves on emergency vet costs
- Reduces the risk of zoonotic disease transmission to humans
- Protects other pets in your household
- Improves the quality of life for your furry family member
Why Choose Southern Ocean Animal Hospital?
At Southern Ocean Animal Hospital, we take parasite prevention seriously because we’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of parasitic diseases. Led by Dr. Daniel N. Pascetta, DVM, a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine—one of the top veterinary programs in the country—we bring clinical expertise and personalized care to every visit.
Our state-of-the-art diagnostics and Fear-Free Certified team ensure your pet receives fast, compassionate, and effective care tailored to their lifestyle.
Your Next Steps
✅ Have a new puppy or kitten? Start deworming today.
✅ Haven’t given your pet their heartworm pill this month? Don’t wait—call us.
✅ Seeing signs like diarrhea, itching, or hair loss? Book an exam immediately.
✅ Want to simplify parasite prevention? Ask about our customized year-round plans.
📅 Schedule Your Parasite Prevention Appointment Today
Don’t let parasites take hold. Whether you need a fecal test, a new flea and tick product, or a full prevention plan, we’re here to help.
Call us or book online with Southern Ocean Animal Hospital to protect your pet—inside and out.