FOUR PAWS VETERINARY HOSPITAL
8401 Ranch Road 12 San Marcos, TX * Phone: (512) 396-7297 * Fax: (512) 392-7297
CAPC GUIDELINES
CONTROLLING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL
PARASITES IN U.S. DOGS AND CATS
PRIMARY RECOMMENDATIONS

Administer year-round treatment with heartworm preventives that
have broad-spectrum activity against parasites with zoonotic
potential.

Administer preventive flea and/or tick products year-round.

  • Conduct annual physical examination with complete history.
  • Conduct annual heartworm testing in dogs and periodic
    testing in cats.
  • Feed pets cooked or prepared food (not raw meat) and
    provide fresh, potable water.
  • Conduct fecal examinations two to four times during the first
    year of life and one to two times per year in adults,
    depending on patient health and lifestyle factors.
  • Administer anthelmintic treatment to puppies at 2, 4, 6, and
    8 weeks of age, followed by administration of a monthly
    preventive.
  • Administer biweekly anthelmintic treatment to kittens
    between 3 and 9 weeks of age, followed by administration
    of a monthly preventive.
  • Treat nursing bitches and queens along with their offspring.
  • If optimal year-round heartworm preventive/intestinal
    parasite products are not used:

- Deworm puppies at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age.

- In kittens, begin biweekly anthelmintic treatment between 3 and
9 weeks of age and then again monthly until 6 months of age.

- Conduct fecal examinations two to four times a year in adult
pets, depending on patient health and lifestyle factors, and treat
with appropriate parasiticides.

- Test for heartworm status yearly in dogs and/or before starting
preventive medications.

  • Tailor parasite prevention programs to parasite prevalence
    and pet lifestyle factors.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, VISIT
www.CAPCVET.ORG