FR
EN12-Month Parasite Prevention
Heartworm · Ticks · Fleas · Intestinal Worms
Our 12-month prevention program targets the most common parasites in Quebec, including heartworm, ticks, fleas, and intestinal worms, to keep your pet protected in every season.
Why year-round prevention?
Climate change has eliminated the true 'dead season' in Quebec. Even in winter, a mild spell can reactivate certain parasites.
Climate change
Milder winters allow parasites to stay active longer. Ticks can be active once temperatures exceed 0°C.
Indoor parasites
Fleas reproduce in your home year-round. For every flea visible on your pet, there are 100 hiding in carpets, sofas and bedding.
Continuous protection
Even missing one month can allow larvae to develop beyond the reach of preventive medication. Consistent treatment is essential.
Rising case counts
Heartworm cases increase every year in the Montreal region. Prevention is simpler and less costly than treatment.
Zoonotic risks
Some parasites like intestinal worms can infect humans, especially young children. Protecting your pet means protecting your family.
Long-term savings
The cost of annual prevention is far lower than the cost of treating a parasitic disease, not to mention the suffering avoided.
Official recommendations
The CVMA (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association), AMVQ (Association des médecins vétérinaires du Québec), OMVQ (Ordre des médecins vétérinaires du Québec), and AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association, USA) all recommend year-round antiparasitic prevention.
Heartworm
Dirofilaria immitis
Life cycle & transmission
Key facts
- Transmitted by mosquitoes
- Can grow several centimetres long
- Settles in heart and pulmonary arteries
- Increasing in Quebec
- Treatment is complex and costly
Dangers & consequences
After a bite from an infected mosquito, larvae migrate through the bloodstream and settle in the pulmonary arteries and heart. Consequences are serious: heart failure and, in some cases, death.
Why prevention is crucial
- Severity: can lead to serious complications and even death
- Complex treatment: carries risks and is not always available everywhere
- No early warning signs: dogs can appear healthy for months before showing clinical symptoms, making early diagnosis difficult without testing
Screening before prevention
Before starting preventive treatment, we recommend a blood test (Snap 4Dx for dogs) to ensure the animal is not already infested. Existing worms could cause complications if an unadapted preventive treatment is given.
Note: Cats can also contract heartworm. An appropriate prevention exists for them too.
Ticks
Ixodes scapularis, black-legged tick
Life cycle & behavior
Characteristics
- Active from 0°C
- Can survive under snow
- Found in tall grass
- Can transmit multiple diseases
- Expanding across Quebec
Lyme disease in Quebec
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in Quebec. Infection often occurs after more than 24 hours of tick attachment. Regular inspection of your pet remains the best local prevention, alongside recommended preventive medication.
How do ticks attach?
Ticks wait on tall grass or bushes for a host to pass nearby. A tick bite is not painful, which makes it difficult to detect.
Diseases transmitted by ticks
Possible signs of Lyme disease: stiffness, lameness, fever, loss of appetite, depression, swollen lymph nodes.
Other diseases: Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, two other bacterial infections spread by tick bites, are also detected via the Snap 4Dx test in dogs.
Educational resources on ticks
Fleas
Ctenocephalides felis
Rapid reproduction cycle
Key points
- Small brown insects
- Feed on blood
- Lay hundreds of eggs
- Infest home and pet
- Active year-round
Fleas in Montreal: active year-round
Why are they so persistent?
- Larvae develop quietly in the home, becoming adults ready to re-infest your pet
- Eggs can survive for months in your environment
- An infestation can develop very quickly
Problems caused by fleas
Fleas can cause: intense itching, allergic dermatitis, hair loss, anemia in severe cases. They can also transmit tapeworms when ingested during grooming.
Intestinal worms
More common than you think
Types of intestinal worms
Roundworms (Ascaris)
Most common, can infect humans
Tapeworms
Transmitted by infected fleas and rodents
Whipworms
Live in the large intestine
Hookworms
Feed on blood, can cause anemia
How do infections occur?
- Ingestion of eggs or larvae: contact with contaminated feces or soil
- Mother-to-offspring transmission: in utero or via mother's milk
- Ingestion of infected fleas or rodents: a common source of tapeworms and other intestinal parasites
Zoonotic risks
Intestinal worms can cause diarrhea, weight loss, and bloating in pets. Some species, such as roundworms, can also infect humans, especially young children.
Tests & dewormers
- Annual fecal analysis: detects the presence of intestinal parasites
- Regular veterinary visits: to adapt the dewormer based on age, lifestyle and health status
Note: Kittens and puppies often need more frequent dewormers in their first months.
Comprehensive educational resources
Consult these reliable resources to deepen your knowledge of parasite prevention
Practical guides for pet owners
Collecting a stool sample
Step-by-step guide to properly collecting a fecal sample at home.
Read the guideTick resources
Heartworm & parasite control
Personalized prevention options
Our team offers 12-month prevention plans targeting the most common parasites in Quebec, adapted to your lifestyle.
Complete veterinary exam
Before setting up any preventive protocol, an exam is essential to confirm your pet's general health, check for existing parasites and adapt protection based on lifestyle.
Screening tests
Blood test for heartworm (Snap 4Dx for dogs) and fecal analysis to detect intestinal parasites. These tests allow us to create a safe, tailored prevention plan.
Monthly preventive medications
Preventive medications are most often administered once a month (chewable tablets or topical liquids). These treatments eliminate larvae before they become dangerous.
Regular follow-up
Annual check-up visits to reassess your pet's needs and adjust the prevention plan based on age, environment and health status.
Practical home tips
Pick up your dog's stools quickly to avoid contaminating your yard or neighbourhood
Vacuum and regularly clean areas where your pet rests (beds, rugs, sofa)
Inspect your pet after each outing, especially if they frequent wooded areas, parks or tall grass
Wash your hands after handling your pet or their feces, especially around young children
Don't forget your indoor cats!
A parasite can enter your home via another animal or even a simple trip outside. Even cats that never go outdoors can be exposed to parasites.
Protect your companion today
Annual parasite prevention remains the key to effectively protecting your dog or cat against heartworm, ticks, fleas and intestinal worms.