Preventative Parasite Medication For The Bichon Frise Dog

Part of owning a bichon frise dog is to ensure that you keep him healthy and happy. To preserve a dog's health it is not only a matter of grooming, feeding him and taking him for annual vet visits. It is also a matter of providing him with preventative medicine to guard against high risk illnesses before they have a chance to penetrate your pooch.

There are different types of preventative medications you can provide your bichon frise dog, but not all are necessary. Essentially it will depend on the climate and location where you live, as well as where you take your dog for walks, outings or vacations. That being said, there are certain vaccines all canines should receive to keep them protected from common, but potentially deadly parasites and diseases.

Aside from standard inoculations that your bichon should receive (I.E. Rabies, Distemper, kennel Cough, etc.), you may also want to consider the following two types of protection:

1. Heartworm prevention - Heartworm is a deadly disease that can affect any unprotected bichon frise dog if he is bitten by a mosquito that carries the illness. This sickness is characterized by parasitic worms that live and reproduce in the various heart chambers of a canine. If left untreated, the result is death of the animal. Protection against heartworm is only necessary during mosquito season (usually from late spring to early fall).
2. Flea prevention - Fleas are a common annoyance that many dogs encounter at some point throughout their life. While this miniscule insect does not typically cause life threatening harm, it can be very uncomfortable for both you and your frise. Flea bites can make your pet exceptionally itchy, the bugs can be very difficult to eradicate, and your pal is also at an increased risk for becoming infected with a tapeworm.

A tapeworm is a parasite that lives in the intestines and absorbs the nutrients of the bichon frise dog. Animals can become infected with tapeworms by ingesting fleas that contain the parasites. Though not generally fatal, these worms can cause dogs digestive distress. Flea prevention is usually only recommended for those doggies that are frequently around other strange animals, go for walks in wooded areas, camp with their families, or when you are attempting to control a flea infestation.

Keep in mind that you should only obtain bichon frise dog medication or recommendations from your veterinarian and no other source, as you will not want to risk injuring your pet. Furthermore, understand that in most cases, before your pooch is prescribed any form of preventative medication, usually he or she is tested to ensure that a health problem does not exist. Giving your bichon frise meds when he is already ill can worsen the condition. In addition, ensure that you find out what pre-emptive medications are available, as some are designed to safeguard from a single ailment, while others provide protection against more than one problem.