Prevention
Protecting Your Pet All Year Long
When the warm weather arrives, so do the bugs—and with them come uncomfortable bites, irritating skin issues, and serious diseases that can affect your pet’s long-term health. At Silvercreek Animal Hospital, we provide effective parasite prevention to keep your pets safe, healthy, and happy throughout every season.
Parasites such as fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms are common in Ontario and can cause significant discomfort or illness if not prevented early. Our team will help you choose the right protection based on your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors.
Heartworm
Heartworm is a dangerous parasite spread by mosquitoes. Once infected, the worms grow inside the heart and lungs, making it harder for your pet to breathe and exercise. If left untreated, heartworm disease can be life-threatening.
Dogs of all ages are at risk, and cats may also be affected.
Prevention is simple, safe, and much easier than treatment. We recommend annual heartworm testing and monthly prevention during mosquito season.
Fleas
Fleas may be tiny, but they cause big problems. A pet with fleas can quickly become itchy, uncomfortable, and develop irritated or infected skin. Fleas also carry tapeworms and can cause anemia in severe cases.
If your pet is scratching, biting at their skin, or you see small dark specks (flea dirt), they may already be affected. Fleas can survive indoors and outdoors—so prevention is the best defense.
Our veterinarians offer safe, effective flea prevention options to keep your pet protected year-round.
Ticks
Ticks are becoming more common throughout Southern Ontario due to warmer seasons and expanding tick populations. They can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease, which can affect pets of all ages.
Ticks are often found in grassy areas, wooded trails, and even suburban backyards. Because they can be difficult to detect, we strongly recommend using monthly tick prevention, especially during spring, summer, and fall.
If you find a tick on your pet, contact us for guidance on safe removal and next steps.
Intestinal Worms
Intestinal worms—such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms—are commonly picked up from soil, wildlife, or infected fleas. Puppies and kittens can also be born with worms and may require multiple treatments.
Signs can include weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, or visible worms in stool, but many pets show no symptoms at all.
Routine deworming is an important part of your pet’s wellness care. Our team can recommend a plan based on your pet’s age and lifestyle.
Types of Prevention We Carry
At Silvercreek Animal Hospital, we offer a wide range of trusted parasite prevention products tailored to your pet’s needs. Prevention options may include:
Monthly oral preventives
Topical flea and tick treatments
Combination preventives (fleas, ticks, heartworm, and worms)
Season-long prevention plans
Our veterinarians will help you determine which product is best for your dog or cat based on their lifestyle, exposure risks, and medical history.
Keeping your pet protected against parasites is one of the simplest ways to support their long-term health. We're here to help you choose the right plan so your pet can enjoy every season safely.