Why Your Pets Need Year-Round Parasite Protection #SentinelSpectrum

This post is sponsored by Virbac® Sentinel® Spectrum® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help create awareness about protection against common parasites found in dogs but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. More information about Sentinel Spectrum. Virbac is not responsible for the content of this article.

Years ago when I had my first dog, Thai, I remember fleas being a big problem. It was difficult to keep them under control and I can remember him getting tapeworms as a result of eating some of the fleas.

At the time, it seemed like a never-ending battle against fleas. The good news is there are products available today that have made controlling fleas -- and other parasite risks -- SO much easier.

Rocco's been taking Sentinel products his whole life and with Virbac® Sentinel® Spectrum® we've never had a problem with fleas or any other parasite.

Year-Round Protection is Key

No matter where you live, it's important to protect your pet all year long against heartworms, fleas and other parasites. 

You might think that fleas are seasonal critters, but they are amazingly (and unfortunately) hardy pests that can survive the most challenging conditions. They're quite happy setting up house in your upholstered furniture and even in the interiors of automobiles.

And what's worse, the fleas you see only make up a small portion of the population while the fleas you can't see are able to survive in a home for up to a year before ever finding a host!

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends treating dogs and cats year-round and throughout their life with flea control products to limit infestations both on the pet and in the home. 

When it comes to year-round risk, the same holds true for heartworms. Both indoor and outdoor dogs are at risk year-round -- no matter where you live.

If you miss a dose of heartworm protection, any heartworm larvae (microfilaria) that made it into your dog from a mosquito bite in the PAST MONTH can cause an infection. And, it takes approximately six months from the time an animal is infected until it can be detected by your veterinarian because the test detects ADULT worms.

So the best way to protect your pup is not to miss a dose, because the medication is most effective against infections that occurred in the month prior to taking the medicine. And remember, annual screenings with a simple blood test are important to help detect heartworm disease.

Speaking of heartworms, this year the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is expecting higher than normal levels of heartworm transmission nationwide.

So do your pups a favor and make sure you keep them protected from fleas, heartworms and other parasites all year long! 

Take the Sentinel Spectrum Parasite Survey

How much do you know about fleas and parasites so that you can protect your dog?

Take this short survey so we can ultimately educate more pet owners about keeping their dogs safe from parasites. The results from the survey will be used to create an infographic that we'll share on our blog next month!

Never forget to protect your pup!

Need help remembering when to give your pup his next dose of Sentinel Spectrum? Sign up for this handy reminder and Sentinel will text or email you a monthly reminder.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Virbac® Sentinel® Spectrum®. The opinions and text are all mine.