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wormy

The
parasites

The ones Australian pet treatments are registered against. I'm in there, under tapeworm. Kate

On the outside

They live on the animal. Most spot-ons, collars and chews are registered against these.

Fleas Fleas are small biting insects. The cat flea infests both dogs and cats in Australia. Most of a flea population lives in the home as eggs, larvae and pupae, so regular treatment of every pet is what clears it. Fleas also spread flea tapeworm.
  • 276 dog registrations
  • 107 cat registrations
  • 14 rabbit registrations
Ticks Ticks attach to the skin and feed on blood. In Australia the brown dog tick, the bush tick and the paralysis tick all affect pets. The brown dog tick, common in northern and inland areas, can spread ehrlichiosis to dogs.
  • 151 dog registrations
  • 40 cat registrations
  • 1 rabbit registration
Paralysis tick The paralysis tick lives along the eastern coast of Australia. Its toxin causes weakness, a changed bark or meow, and trouble breathing, and it can kill. Use a registered tick product, search your pet daily, and see a vet straight away if signs appear.
  • 117 dog registrations
  • 25 cat registrations
  • 1 rabbit registration
Mites Mites are tiny relatives of spiders. In pets they cause ear disease, mange, dandruff and itchy, crusting skin. Ear mites, sarcoptic mange mites and demodex are the most common in dogs and cats, and cage birds get their own mites.
  • 180 dog registrations
  • 60 cat registrations
  • 14 rabbit registrations
  • 9 bird registrations
Lice Lice spend their whole life on one animal and are specific to their host: dog lice stay on dogs, cat lice on cats, and bird lice on birds. They cause itching and a dull, scruffy coat, and are most common in young, old or neglected animals.
  • 137 dog registrations
  • 43 cat registrations
  • 1 rabbit registration
  • 15 bird registrations

On the inside

Heartworm, and the worms that live in the gut.

Heartworm Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes. The worms grow in the heart and the large blood vessels of the lungs. Prevention is a monthly tablet, chew or spot-on, or a yearly injection for dogs. Treating an established infection is harder and riskier.
  • 178 dog registrations
  • 52 cat registrations
Roundworm Roundworms live in the intestine. Puppies and kittens often catch them from their mother before birth or through her milk, so young animals are wormed often. The eggs survive in soil and can infect people, especially children.
  • 182 dog registrations
  • 82 cat registrations
  • 1 rabbit registration
  • 9 bird registrations
Hookworm Hookworms attach to the gut wall and feed on blood. They can cause serious anaemia in puppies and kittens. Larvae in the soil can get in through the skin, and some species can also affect people.
  • 180 dog registrations
  • 82 cat registrations
Whipworm Whipworm lives in a dog's large intestine and can cause bloody diarrhoea and weight loss. Its eggs survive in soil for years, so dogs get reinfected. Not every allwormer covers whipworm, so check the registration.
  • 156 dog registrations
  • 1 cat registration
Tapeworm Tapeworms live in the intestine. Pets catch flea tapeworm by swallowing fleas while grooming, and other tapeworms by eating raw meat, offal or prey. Hydatid tapeworm in dogs can cause serious disease in people. Praziquantel is the usual treatment.
  • 148 dog registrations
  • 45 cat registrations
  • 4 bird registrations

Counts are current registrations that name the parasite for that animal. A weight band counts once. A child such as paralysis tick also counts toward its parent.

Spotted something wrong? Tell Kate.

Wrong weight band? Missing product? Something on the label we've got wrong? Tell Kate. A reply shows on the feedback page, in this browser.

This isn't the place for vet questions. Ask your vet.