New clients welcome! Limited time free first exam (terms apply) - Book Today!

(770) 532-0491Book Appointment

Dog

Cat

Deworming

Treating and preventing internal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms with trusted care.

Deworming & Parasite Control: Keeping Your Pet Healthy from the Inside Out
Parasites aren’t always visible, but they can cause serious health issues if left untreated. Deworming and parasite control are key components of your pet’s wellness care—helping protect them from discomfort, illness, and even diseases that can spread to humans.

Whether your pet is an adventurous pup or a stay-at-home cat, regular parasite protection is essential to their health.

Why Deworming and Parasite Control Matter

Intestinal worms, fleas, ticks, and heartworms can impact pets at any age. Some pets show clear signs, like scooting or vomiting, while others have no symptoms at all. Without proper prevention, parasites can lead to:

  • Digestive issues (vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss)

  • Anemia or malnutrition

  • Itchy skin or allergic reactions

  • Life-threatening conditions like heartworm disease

  • Transmission of parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms, to humans

That’s why prevention and routine screening are just as important as treatment.

Common Internal and External Parasites

Internal Parasites (Worms):

  • Roundworms

  • Hookworms

  • Whipworms

  • Tapeworms

  • Giardia

  • Coccidia

External Parasites:

  • Fleas

  • Ticks

  • Mites

  • Lice

How We Protect Your Pet

Our parasite prevention plans are tailored to your pet’s age, lifestyle, and risk factors. We offer:

  • Oral or topical monthly preventatives

  • Flea and tick treatments

  • Deworming protocols for puppies, kittens, and adult pets

  • Annual fecal exams to detect internal parasites

  • Annual heartworm testing and prevention

  • Treatment for diagnosed infections or infestations

If your pet is active outdoors, visits dog parks, travels, or lives in a multi-pet home, more frequent parasite prevention may be recommended.

What to Watch For

  • Visible worms in stools or around the rear

  • Diarrhea or vomiting

  • Weight loss despite normal eating

  • Excessive itching or biting at the skin

  • Scooting or dragging the bottom

  • Coughing (possible sign of heartworms)

If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to schedule a visit so we can test and treat promptly.

Protecting your pet from parasites is easier than treating the effects of an infestation. Regular prevention helps keep your pet comfortable, healthy, and protected year-round.

💙 Whether it’s a checkup, questions, or care needs, visit us—we’re here to be your partner in your pet’s health. Book your appointment today.

Latest Blogs

Discover in-depth articles, thought leadership, and expert perspectives curated to inspire, educate, and keep you ahead of the curve in your industry.

Do Pets Get Allergies? True or False?

Did you know that pets can suffer from allergies just like humans? However, unlike humans who show symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes, pets usually exhibit allergic reactions through their skin. This can lead to allergies in pets often being overlooked or misdiagnosed as other illnesses.

Read More

FAQs

Below are some answers to our most common questions.

Here at Gainesville Veterinary Hospital, fees cover what is done for the animal including an examination, administration of tests, diagnosis, treatment, and medications. Some problems can be long term or involve multiple and/or changing causes. Treatment may be ongoing. To an effect a cure is not always possible. You are paying for an honest attempt to diagnose and treat a problem. There is no implied guarantee.

Third-party health insurance is available for pets. As with human health insurance, Gainesville Veterinary Hospital advises you that different companies offer various levels of coverage which have a wide range of deductibles and premiums. There are also certain restrictions on which conditions, injuries, and procedures are covered. Please contact your veterinary facility, which may have more information on this type of insurance.

Gainesville Veterinary Hospital advises that to get a rabies certificate, only a rabies vaccination is needed. This law is in place to protect humans and animals from the spread of rabies. However, the vaccine cannot be administered without the animal first having received a physical examination. It is in the best interest of your pet to get a routine check-up plus all the necessary vaccines as determined by your veterinarian to maintain your pet's good health. There are many infectious diseases of animals, many of them fatal to your pet. The additional cost of the vaccines which prevent these diseases is often quite minimal. Administering vaccines is a safe, easy, and cost-effective way to prevent disease. Many veterinarians have written material on the recommended vaccinations your pet needs and would be happy to provide this to you.

Most puppies and kittens need basic health examinations, checks for parasites and vaccinations. Gainesville Veterinary Hospital will provide general estimates by telephone. If you check with a few hospitals, you will see that fees for similar services do not vary that much. When requesting an estimate you need to be sure exactly what you are getting for the fees charged, and whether there are additional costs for anything else.

Fees are set by each individual veterinary practice and each has different expenses that are covered by the fees charged (i.e., salaries, rent, utilities). Often, the different fees do not reflect the same set of services, although there may be certain basic procedures in common. Each veterinarian within Gainesville Veterinary Hospital sets the fees for services based on varying criteria, such as different drugs, anesthetics, antibiotics, medical techniques, and products, which may have a bearing on the cost of the service.

Not only is it unethical and illegal to prescribe for an animal that a veterinarian hasn't physically examined, but it is also impossible to come up with an accurate diagnosis and rational plan of treatment. A veterinarian here at Gainesville Veterinary Hospital can't make a diagnosis based on symptoms only as observed by an owner. The outward signs may be an indication of any number of internal causes with a wide variety of clinical treatments. A complete physical examination and other diagnostic tests are required to determine the cause of the symptoms and the best course of treatment.