How to protect your pet during on hot summer days:

• Keep them cool! Dogs and  cats can overheat very quickly.
• Never leave a pet in a hot car, they are better off left at home. 
• Make sure pets have access to water at all times. 
• Take your dog for a walk early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperatures are cooler.

Did you know?

In Massachusetts, if you own a dog, cat or ferret it is the law to keep him/her current with a rabies vaccine.

PREVENTATIVE DEWORMING

Quick Facts about Intestinal Parasites:

• Zoonotic (can be transmitted to people) parasites are transmitted primarily from a contaminated environment, not from normal contact with your pet.
• Parasite eggs cannot be seen by the naked eye.
• One female roundworm can lay up to 100,000 eggs in a day and one hookworm can  produce up to 20,000 eggs in a day.
• In just one week, two puppies infected with roundworms can shed more than 20 million eggs and contaminate a 2,800 square foot backyard.

What can I do to protect my pet and family?

Contaminated pet dropping can carry infective eggs, the source of most pet to human infections.  Follow these steps to help protect your pet and family:

• Deworm your pet on a regular basis recommended by your vet.  This removes internal parasites and prevents further contamination of the environment.
• Practice good hygiene.  Wash hands after handling pets or cleaning up pet waste.

• Remove pet droppings from your yard frequently.
• Keep pets flea-free.  Ingestion of fleas can transmit tapeworms to animals and people.
• Do not allow children to go barefoot or sit or lie on playgrounds where they could be exposed to animal stools.
• Do not drink water from streams or other sources that may be contaminated with animal feces.
• Keep pets clean.