Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intestinal parasites found in Ontario and Quebec pets during winter
By Blagburn, Byron L et al.·Published in Veterinary therapeutics : research in applied veterinary medicine·2008·Department of Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence of intestinal parasites in companion animals in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, during the winter months.
Plain-English summary
A study found that 34% of shelter dogs and cats in Ontario and Quebec had intestinal parasites during the winter months, despite many pet owners stopping deworming treatments during this time. This suggests that parasites can still be a problem even when it's cold outside. Veterinarians recommend that pet owners continue giving their pets monthly dewormers and heartworm prevention throughout the winter to keep them healthy.
People also search for: why does my dog have worms in winter · cat deworming schedule · intestinal parasites in dogs treatment
Abstract
Veterinarians in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, typically prescribe monthly heartworm prophylactic and anthelmintic medications for use during the warm months of the year. In many patients, the use of dewormers is discontinued during the winter because of the perception that intestinal parasite infections and shedding of nematode eggs are unlikely when the weather is cold and the ground is frozen or covered with snow. This study examined fecal samples obtained from 96 shelter dogs and cats during the winter in Ontario and Quebec. Intestinal parasites were identified in 34% of submitted samples. These findings support the recommendation that veterinarians should advise pet owners to continue administration of broad-spectrum parasiticides to companion animals during the winter months.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19003777/