A Pet Owner’s Guide to Parasite Prevention in Santa Monica

You lift the couch cushion to look for your cat’s favorite toy and notice tiny specks that jump when the light hits. A tick falls off your dog and onto your pillow. Your new puppy or kitten has diarrhea- complete with squirming worms.
The consequences of parasites can be far bigger than a gross nuisance. They drain blood, inflame skin, scar organs, and in some cases threaten human health. The safest strategy is steady prevention paired with quick action when signs appear. At Santa Monica Veterinary Group, that plan starts with a conversation and a tailored prevention schedule based on your pet’s lifestyle on the Westside.

This guide walks through the most common culprits in dogs and cats, how veterinarians diagnose them, and why a year-round plan protects both pets and people. If you are ready to set up care after reading, you can request an appointment online so we can get your pet protected before problems begin.

Parasites That Can Affect People Too

Families often ask which parasites can move between animals and humans. Zoonotic parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and giardia can infect people, especially young children, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system. Regular handwashing, prompt cleanup of feces, and discouraging face licking reduce risk in the home. Good hygiene is helpful, yet it does not replace routine veterinary screening and prevention. If you have questions about risks for your household, our clinicians can help during your pet’s next visit as part of our comprehensive veterinary services.

Intestinal Worms and Protozoa: More Than a “Stomach Bug”

Puppies and kittens are frequent carriers of intestinal parasites including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Mothers can pass roundworms to offspring before birth or through nursing, which is why young pets often arrive already infected.

Typical red flags include soft stool, vomiting, bloating, a dull coat, weight loss, or pale gums from anemia. You might also see spaghetti-like roundworms or rice-like tapeworm segments in stool. Because some of these worms can infect people, avoid barefoot play where pets defecate and teach children to wash hands after pet play time- especially with puppies and kittens.

Giardia adds another wrinkle. This microscopic parasite clings to fur around the rear end and persists in damp environments. Clearing giardia often requires more than a single medication. Families usually need to bathe pets, disinfect bowls and bedding, pick up feces promptly, and sometimes repeat testing and treatment to prevent reinfection.

Fleas: Itch, Infection, and Anemia

Fleas reproduce at a pace that catches most families off guard. Adult fleas lay eggs that fall into carpets, between floorboards, and into upholstery. Larvae and pupae then develop out of sight. Even after visible fleas disappear, pupae can hatch later, which is why infestations often take weeks to fully resolve.

The bigger concern is what fleas do to the body. They can trigger flea allergy dermatitis in dogs and cats, a hypersensitivity that leads to relentless licking, hot spots, and secondary skin infections. Small or very young pets may develop life-threatening anemia when the parasite load is heavy. Many over-the-counter products rely on ingredients that fleas have largely outgrown, especially in temperate climates like Santa Monica. Veterinary-prescribed preventives are more effective at breaking the life cycle. When an infestation is present, expect several months of consistent prevention, frequent vacuuming, hot washes of bedding, and sometimes professional pest control to finish the job.

Ticks and Tick-Borne Disease: Fast Attachment, Serious Impact

Ticks thrive in leaf litter, tall grass, and along the edges of walking paths. Once attached, they can transmit pathogens quickly, which is why timely removal and year-round protection matter. Dogs in tick country face

Lyme disease, an infection linked to lameness, fever, swollen joints, and in some cases kidney complications.

Daily tick checks are important after time outdoors, even in suburban neighborhoods. Tick prevention protocols may include oral, topical, or collar-based options depending on a pet’s lifestyle. We can help you choose an effective product that fits local exposure and your pet’s activities along the beach paths and canyon trails.

Heartworm Disease: Silent at First, Devastating Over Time

Mosquitoes deposit heartworm larvae under the skin during a bite, then the larvae migrate and mature in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. Early heartworm infections often look like nothing at all, which gives the parasite time to cause lasting damage. Symptoms include a soft cough, decreased stamina, weight loss, and eventually signs of heart failure.

No region is truly free from risk. The Heartworm Prevalence Map shows activity in every U.S. state. Treating dogs is lengthy, costly, and physically demanding, and there is no safe curative treatment for cats. Consistent prevention is the most reliable shield, which is why testing and monthly or long-acting preventives are recommended for all pets. If you are unsure whether your pet is due for a test, our nurses can check your records when you contact our team.

Mites: Tiny Parasites, Big Discomfort

Mites are microscopic, but their effects are obvious. Puppies and immune-compromised pets can develop patchy hair loss and scaly skin with demodex.

Sarcoptes, also called scabies, burrows into the skin and causes severe itch, crusting, and hair loss. It can spread to people through close contact, although the human version is temporary and still very uncomfortable. Cats frequently battle ear mites, which create dark, crumbly debris and painful infections.

Because mites hide in hair follicles or ear canals, prescription therapy is almost always needed. Cleaning the environment and treating close contacts helps prevent relentless cycles of reinfection.

Less Common, Still Serious: Trematodes and Lung Flukes

Not every parasite shows up in routine fecal tests. Pets that eat raw fish, crayfish, or snails may acquire flukes that lodge in the liver, bile ducts, or lungs. Regional reports of Trematode infections highlight that while uncommon, these parasites can cause significant illness- especially on the west coast.

When flukes colonize the chest, coughing, labored breathing, or recurrent pneumonia may follow. The clinical picture of lung fluke infection in dogs and cats can mimic many other diseases, which is why advanced imaging or specialized lab testing is sometimes required for a diagnosis. Our doctors can coordinate these diagnostics in-house or with local specialists when needed.

How Veterinarians Find Parasites Early

Because many infestations remain hidden until they are advanced, screening is essential. Your veterinarian may recommend:

  • Fecal flotation or antigen testing for intestinal parasites
  • Blood tests for heartworm as well as vector-borne diseases
  • Skin scrapings, hair plucks, or ear swabs to identify mites
  • Imaging such as X-rays or ultrasound when organ-based parasites are suspected

Catching parasites early shortens treatment, reduces the chance of household spread, and protects your family from zoonotic spread.

Why Year-Round Parasite Prevention Matters

Even indoor pets face exposure. Mosquitoes slip through doorways, fleas ride inside on clothing, and hardy parasite eggs can persist in soil for months to years. The importance of year-round parasite prevention is well established because seasonal gaps leave an opening for infestation- particularly in warm areas like California. Skipping doses or pausing during travel often leads to expensive, prolonged cleanups later.

A preventive plan is not one size fits all. Age, species, health history, travel, and local risks shape the ideal combination of products. Your veterinary team can help you choose safe, effective medications that protect against the parasites most relevant to your pet’s lifestyle. If concerns cannot wait, our clinicians are available for same-day evaluation through urgent care services in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Veterinary Group: Practical Next Steps for Parasites

Parasites are common, but your pet does not need to suffer with itching, diarrhea, coughing, or fatigue. Prevention works when it is consistent and paired with routine checkups. A balanced plan usually includes monthly or long-acting preventives, regular fecal testing, yard and litter box hygiene, daily tick checks after outdoor time, and simple habits at home to protect human family members.

If you notice skin irritation, scooting, weight loss, coughing, lethargy, or visible bugs, reach out for guidance. You can request an appointment online or contact our team for tailored advice. To see the full range of what we offer, explore our comprehensive veterinary services, then come in and meet the people who will care for your pet. We’re here to help get rid of the parasites pestering you.