As pet owners, we want to keep our furry friends safe and healthy, but sometimes we overlook the dangers posed by parasites like heartworms, ticks, fleas, and even intestinal parasites. These pests can cause serious health problems, and the treatment costs can be overwhelming. Fortunately, preventing these issues is easy and cost-effective.
Heartworm: A Hidden Danger
Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are spread through mosquito bites. Even if your pet doesn’t interact with other animals or spend time outdoors, mosquitoes can still sneak into your home, putting your pet at risk. In Arizona, while heartworm cases are less common than in other areas, the incidence has doubled in the past 10 years.
How heartworm prevention works:
Heartworm prevention kills the parasite before it matures into an adult worm, but once it’s matured, prevention no longer works. Treating severe heartworm infections is expensive, takes up to a year, and can result in long-term heart damage or death.
Heartworm Treatment
If your pet becomes infected with heartworms, treatment can be expensive, complicated, and potentially risky. Here’s what the cost looks like:
- Treatment Costs for Heartworm Disease:
- Basic Treatment: The cost of treating heartworm disease typically ranges from $500 to $1,500 depending on the severity of the infestation and the size of your pet.
- Advanced Treatment: For severe cases, treatment can cost $2,000 or more, as it may require multiple veterinary visits, diagnostic tests, hospitalization, and more.
- Post-Treatment Care:
After treatment, your pet will need rest and careful monitoring for several weeks, which could add to the cost of the overall treatment.
Heartworm Prevention
Preventing heartworms is far less expensive than treating an infestation, which is why it’s critical to stay on top of monthly preventatives. Here’s a breakdown of the costs:
- Monthly Preventive Medications:
- Oral Medications (e.g., Heartgard, Iverhart): Average cost is $10 to $15 per month for a medium-sized dog.
- Topical Medications (e.g., Advantage Multi, Revolution): Typically range from $15 to $25 per month depending on the size of the pet.
- Injectable Medication: Some vets offer a 6-month or 12-month heartworm prevention injection (e.g., ProHeart 6 or ProHeart 12) which costs between $40 to $75 for the six-month dose and up to $150 to $200for a full year of protection.
- Annual Heartworm Test: It’s important to have your dog tested annually, especially if you live in an area with a high prevalence of heartworms. The average cost of a heartworm test is around $35 to $50.
Ticks: Tiny but Dangerous
Ticks may be small, but they can transmit serious diseases to your pet and you. Ticks carry bacteria that cause illnesses like Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis, which can lead to life-threatening conditions like Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) and Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITTP)
How tick prevention works:
Tick preventatives don’t stop ticks from biting, but they kill the tick before it can transmit disease.
Fleas: More Than Just an Itch
Fleas are blood-sucking parasites that cause itching, skin infections, and, in severe cases, anemia. They can also infest your home and lead to reinfection. Fleas can even bite people, spreading discomfort beyond just your pet.
How flea prevention works:
Flea preventatives don’t stop fleas from biting, but they kill them before they can lay eggs and cause an infestation.
Treatment for Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA)
IMHA is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks its own red blood cells, which can
lead to anemia, fatigue, and more serious health complications. Treatment for IMHA can be
intensive and expensive:
- Initial Diagnosis and Testing: Blood tests, including complete blood counts and specialized tests, can cost anywhere from $200 to $500. Additional diagnostic tests may be required to rule out other causes.
- Hospitalization and Blood Transfusions: If your pet requires a blood transfusion, the cost can be significant. Blood transfusions can range from $500 to $2,000, depending on the severity of the case and the number of transfusions required.
- Ongoing Medication:
- Steroids (Prednisone): These are typically used to suppress the immune system. The cost of steroids can range from $10 to $40 per month, dependingon the dosage.
- Other Immunosuppressive Drugs: Medications like azathioprine or cyclophosphamide can cost an additional $50 to $150 per month.
- Total Treatment Costs: Depending on the severity of the condition and the length of treatment, costs for IMHA treatment can range from $1,000 to $4,000 or more, especially if there are complications or long-term care requirements.
Treatment for Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
ITP is a condition where the immune system destroys platelets, which are vital for blood clotting. Treatment can also be costly, similar to IMHA:
- Initial Diagnosis and Testing: Blood tests, including platelet counts and bone marrow biopsies, can cost between $200 to $600.
- Hospitalization: If your pet needs to be hospitalized for intensive care or platelet transfusions, costs can range from $500 to $2,500 or more, depending on the pet’s condition and the length of stay.
- Ongoing Medication:
- Steroids: As with IMHA, steroids (e.g., prednisone) are a common treatment and cost between $10 to $40 per month.
- Other Medications: Immunosuppressive drugs or drugs to increase platelet production can cost $50 to $150 per month.
- Total Treatment Costs: Treatment for ITP can range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the severity of the condition and whether the pet requires transfusions or long-term care.
Flea and Tick Prevention vs. Treating Severe Conditions
Now, let’s compare the cost of monthly flea and tick prevention to the cost of treating serious conditions like IMHA and ITP.
- Monthly Flea and Tick Prevention:
- Oral Medications: Typically range from $10 to $20 per month.
- Topical Treatments: Average cost is $15 to $25 per month.
- Tick Collars: Range from $15 to $50, with some lasting up to 8 months.
- Injectable Treatments: Typically $40 to $150 for a 6- or 12-month protection.
- Total Annual Flea and Tick Prevention Cost: For a standard monthly treatment, the annual cost would typically range from $120 to $300.
Intestinal Parasites: Not Just an Outdoor Issue
Intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms, are common in pets, and they can cause a variety of symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and lethargy. These parasites can be transmitted through contaminated food, water, or the environment, and even through contact with other animals.
How prevention works for intestinal parasites:
Many of the same preventatives that protect against heartworms, fleas, and ticks also help protect against intestinal worms. These medications kill the eggs or larvae before they can mature into adult worms, preventing infections in the first place.
Benefits of intestinal parasite prevention:
- Keeps your pet healthy and free from digestive issues
- Reduces the risk of spreading parasites to other pets or even humans (some intestinal parasites are zoonotic)
Choosing the Right Preventative for Your Pet
There are various preventative products available for both dogs and cats, ranging from monthly chews to bi-monthly topicals. Your veterinarian will help you choose the best option based on your pet’s health, size, and lifestyle.
Some common options include:
- For dogs: Heartgard Plus, Nexgard, Simparica Trio, Interceptor Plus, Proheart
- For cats: Revolution, Nexgard, Bravecto Plus
Summary: Protecting Your Pet, Protecting Your Family
Parasites can cause serious health problems for your pet and your family. Preventing heartworms, ticks, fleas, and intestinal parasites is an easy and affordable way to avoid the risks and costs of treatment. Regular testing and preventative care are key to keeping your pet safe and healthy. Talk to your veterinarian today to find the best prevention plan for your pet’s needs.
Dr. Aiden Tansey, DVM
Dr. Tansey is originally from Arizona, but has moved around quite a bit including spending three years in Germany. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science and a minor in Biochemistry. After graduation she moved across the country to attend the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. During veterinary school she had the opportunity to travel and work with World Vets International, providing veterinary care to a variety of animals in far reaching communities in Peru. While she enjoyed experiencing four seasons again, she is excited to return to the Valley of the Sun. Her interests include surgery, emergency medicine and general practice medicine. In her free time Dr. Tansey enjoys going on adventures, reading, painting and snuggling with her goofball pups Max and Roxy.
