Parasite Prevention & Control in Sacramento, CA

Year-Round Protection to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Parasite-Free

Protect Your Pet From Parasites

Parasites aren’t just a nuisance — they can cause serious health problems for your pet and even transmit diseases to your family. Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites are common in the Sacramento area and can affect pets year-round.

At Del Paso Veterinary Clinic, we provide comprehensive parasite prevention plans customized to your pet’s lifestyle, age, and risk factors. Dr. Khabra’s 18 years of experience helps ensure your pet receives the right protection for Sacramento’s climate and parasite risks.

Prevention is far easier and less expensive than treating parasitic diseases.

Common Parasites In Sacramento Pets

External Parasites

Fleas

Cause intense itching, skin infections, and allergic reactions
Can transmit tapeworms and other diseases
Reproduce rapidly — one flea can lead to an infestation
Active year-round in California’s mild climate

Ticks

Transmit serious diseases including Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasmosis
Found in grassy areas, parks, hiking trails, and even urban yards
Can attach to both pets and humans
Peak season: spring through fall, but present year-round

Ear Mites

Cause intense ear itching and inflammation
Common in puppies, kittens, and outdoor cats
Highly contagious between pets
Diagnosed with ear cytology (done in-house)

Mange Mites

Cause severe skin disease and hair loss
Two types: Demodex (not contagious) and Sarcoptes (highly contagious)
Diagnosed with skin scraping (done in-house)
Requires specific treatment protocols

Internal Parasites

Heartworms

Transmitted by mosquitoes (prevalent in Sacramento)
Live in the heart and lungs, causing serious organ damage
Can be fatal if untreated
Prevention is essential — treatment is expensive and risky
Annual testing recommended for dogs

Intestinal Parasites

Roundworms: Most common in puppies and kittens
Hookworms: Can cause anemia and intestinal bleeding
Whipworms: Difficult to detect and eliminate
Tapeworms: Transmitted by fleas or from eating wildlife
Giardia: Causes diarrhea, especially in young pets
Coccidia: Common in puppies and kittens

Many intestinal parasites can be transmitted to humans, especially children.

Our Parasite Prevention Services

Comprehensive Prevention Plans

Dr. Khabra creates customized prevention plans based on:

Your pet’s age and health status
Indoor vs. outdoor lifestyle
Exposure to other animals
Travel and boarding habits
Sacramento-specific parasite risks
Your family’s needs (children, immunocompromised individuals)

Flea & Tick Prevention

Monthly Topical or Oral Medications:

Kills fleas and ticks before they can reproduce
Some products also prevent heartworm and intestinal parasites
Various formulations available based on your pet’s needs
All products available on-site at our pharmacy

What We Recommend:

Year-round protection (California climate supports parasites all year)
Products that match your pet’s lifestyle
Combination products when appropriate
Safe, veterinary-grade medications (not over-the-counter products)

Heartworm Prevention

For Dogs:

Annual Heartworm Testing — Blood test done in-house with same-day results
Monthly Prevention — Oral or topical medication
Year-round protection recommended in Sacramento

For Cats:

Heartworm disease is harder to diagnose in cats
No treatment available for cats with heartworm
Prevention is critical — monthly medication recommended

Why Year-Round Prevention Matters: Sacramento’s mild climate means mosquitoes are active nearly year-round. Missing even one month of prevention can put your pet at risk.

Intestinal Parasite Prevention

Deworming Protocols:

Puppies and kittens: Regular deworming during first months
Adult pets: Based on lifestyle and risk factors
Monthly preventives that include deworming

Fecal Testing:

Recommended annually for all pets
More frequent for pets with outdoor access
Microscopic examination for parasite eggs
Sent to reference laboratory with results in 1-2 days

Treatment for Active Infestations

Flea Infestations:

Prescription flea medications (faster-acting than over-the-counter)
Environmental control recommendations
Treatment for all pets in household
Follow-up to ensure complete elimination

Tick Removal:

Safe removal techniques
Monitoring for tick-borne diseases
Testing available if symptoms develop

Ear Mite Treatment:

Diagnosis with ear cytology (in-house)
Prescription ear medications
Treatment for all pets in contact

Mange Treatment:

Diagnosis with skin scraping (in-house)
Prescription medications
Monitoring for treatment response

Intestinal Parasite Treatment:

Specific dewormers based on parasite type
Follow-up fecal testing to confirm elimination
Environmental sanitation recommendations

Signs Your Pet May Have Parasites

External Parasite Signs:

Fleas:

Excessive scratching, especially at base of tail
Small black specks in fur (flea dirt)
Red, irritated skin
Hair loss from scratching
Seeing fleas on your pet or in your home

Ticks:

Finding ticks attached to skin
Red, inflamed area where tick was attached
Lethargy or lameness (if disease transmitted)

Ear Mites:

Head shaking
Scratching at ears
Dark discharge from ears
Strong odor from ears

Mange:

Intense itching
Hair loss
Scaly, crusty skin
Red, inflamed skin

Internal Parasite Signs:

Heartworms:

Coughing (especially dogs)
Difficulty breathing
Lethargy and exercise intolerance
Weight loss
Pot-bellied appearance

Intestinal Parasites:

Diarrhea or soft stool
Vomiting
Weight loss despite normal appetite
Pot-bellied appearance (especially puppies/kittens)
Visible worms in stool or vomit
Scooting or dragging rear end
Dull coat

Many parasites cause no visible symptoms — regular testing is essential.

Parasite Prevention Faqs

Does my indoor-only pet need parasite prevention?

Yes! Fleas can enter your home on clothing or other pets. Mosquitoes (which transmit heartworm) come indoors. Indoor cats who escape are extremely vulnerable because they lack immunity.

Can I use over-the-counter flea products?

We strongly recommend veterinary-grade products. They’re safer, more effective, and many OTC products can be toxic to cats or ineffective against resistant parasites.

How often should my dog be tested for heartworm?

Annual testing is recommended, even if your dog is on prevention year-round. This ensures the prevention is working and detects any infections early.

Are heartworms really a problem in Sacramento?

Yes! Sacramento’s climate supports mosquitoes nearly year-round. Heartworm disease is present in California and prevention is essential.

How do I know which flea/tick product is right for my pet?

Dr. Khabra will recommend products based on your pet’s species, weight, age, lifestyle, and any other medications they take. Some products also prevent heartworm and intestinal parasites.

Can parasites be transmitted to my family?

Yes. Roundworms, hookworms, and some other parasites can be transmitted to humans (zoonotic diseases), especially children. This is why prevention and regular fecal testing are important.

What if I miss a month of prevention?

Contact us right away. We may recommend testing and will get your pet back on prevention. Consistency is key for heartworm prevention especially.

Do cats need heartworm prevention?

: Yes! While less common than in dogs, heartworm disease in cats is serious and cannot be treated. Prevention is the only option.

How much does parasite prevention cost?

Monthly prevention costs vary by product and pet size. Annual costs are far less than treating parasitic diseases. Call (916) 925-2107 for pricing on specific products.

Can my pet get fleas even on prevention?

Prevention kills fleas when they bite your pet, but you may occasionally see a flea before it dies. If you’re seeing multiple fleas, contact us — you may need environmental treatment or a different product.

When should I start my puppy or kitten on prevention?

Puppies and kittens can start flea/tick and heartworm prevention as young as 8 weeks, depending on the product. We’ll provide a customized schedule during wellness visits.

Environmental Parasite Control

For Flea Infestations:

Inside Your Home:

Vacuum frequently (floors, furniture, pet bedding)
Wash pet bedding in hot water weekly
Treat all pets in the household
Consider professional pest control for severe infestations

Outside Your Yard:

Keep grass mowed short
Remove debris and leaf piles
Treat yard if needed
Limit outdoor pet access during treatment

For Tick Prevention:

In Your Yard:

Keep grass short
Clear brush and leaf litter
Create barrier between wooded areas and lawn
Consider tick control products for yard

When Outdoors:

Check your pet for ticks after walks/hikes
Focus on ears, between toes, armpits, groin
Remove ticks promptly and properly
Save tick in sealed container if your pet develops symptoms

Why Choose Del Paso For Parasite Prevention

Call (916) 925-2107 to discuss parasite prevention options for your pet.

Email: office@delpasovetclinic.com

Visit: 924 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815

Same-day appointments available. Prevention products available on-site.

Schedule Your Pet's Parasite Prevention Consultation

Serving Sacramento & Surrounding Communities

Proudly providing wellness and preventive care for pets in:

Del Paso Heights
North Sacramento
Natomas
Robla
Arden-Arcade
West Sacramento
And surrounding neighborhoods