With the arrival of warmer weather, veterinarians in the province of León have intensified their appeal to Strengthen the deworming of pets and farm animalsThe aim is to curb the proliferation of internal and external parasites which, in addition to compromising animal welfare, can transmit diseases to people and become a public health problem.
The Official College of the Veterinary Profession of León insists that deworming should be considered as basic as vaccines within the framework of responsible pet care for dogs, cats, and livestock. Specialists remind us that many infestations go unnoticed in their initial stages, so ongoing prevention is becoming increasingly important in a context of rising temperatures and changes in parasite life cycles.
Call to reinforce deworming in spring
Coinciding with the gradual rise in temperatures, the Veterinary College of León has issued several statements encouraging citizens and the livestock sector to intensify deworming measures This applies to both pets and livestock. Spring and summer are the periods when conditions are most favorable for the development of numerous parasites.
According to the organization, the combination of heat, increased outdoor activity, and closer contact between animals and people increases the risk of outbreaks. massive infestations and transmission of zoonosesTherefore, veterinarians emphasize that deworming cannot be limited to one-off actions, but must be part of a continuous preventive plan throughout the year.
Professionals describe these infestations as a “serious but often invisible” risk. Many dogs and cats can harbor parasites without showing obvious symptoms at first, making it easy for them to continue contaminating the environment or infecting other animals and, in some cases, even people.
The message is directed at both private owners and livestock farmers, reminding them that to protect animals from parasites It is a responsibility inseparable from animal welfare and farm health. In the case of livestock, poor control can lead to production losses and increased risks to the food chain.
Veterinarians in León insist that this reinforcement of deworming becomes even more important in a climate change scenario, in which the periods of activity of fleas, ticks, and other vectors They are extending beyond the months traditionally considered risky.
Internal and external parasites: a silent health problem
The report released by the Veterinary Association of León details the main groups of parasites that affect domestic and farm animals. Among them internal parasites Notable among them are nematodes or roundworms, such as toxocara canis y Ancylostoma caninum, capable of causing significant digestive and systemic problems.
Another relevant group are the cestodes or tapeworms, among them Canine dipylidium and species of TaeniaThese can appear in dogs and cats as well as farm animals. They are joined by various protozoa, such as Giardia spp. and CoccidiaThese are responsible for diarrhea, weight loss, and a progressive decline in overall health if not treated promptly. More information on specific campaigns and events can be found at [website address]. free deworming days.
Regarding the external parasitesVeterinarians especially warn about fleas, which not only cause intense itching and dermatitis, but can also transmit tapeworms. Canine dipylidiumTicks, meanwhile, are associated with diseases of increasing importance in Europe, such as ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
Mites are also mentioned as Sarcopts scabieiThe parasite that causes mange produces intense discomfort in animals and can have zoonotic repercussions in certain contexts. The simultaneous presence of several types of parasites in the same individual aggravates the clinical picture and It seriously compromises the animal's quality of life..
Among the most frequent consequences of these infestations are anemia, marked weight lossPersistent diarrhea, skin lesions, damage to internal organs, and, in the most severe or untreated cases, the possibility of death. Furthermore, some parasites cause allergic reactions or progressively weaken the immune system.
Zoonotic risk and One Health approach
One of the points that most worries veterinarians in León is the ability of many parasites to act as zoonotic agentsThat is, they are capable of being transmitted from animals to people. This reality places deworming at the heart of public health strategies, especially in areas where contact between humans and animals is commonplace.
The president of the College, Álvaro Borge de Castro, recalls that more than 75% of emerging diseases in humans have an animal originThis fact, widely cited internationally, reinforces the need to work under the concept of "One Health", which integrates human health, animal health and the environment.
From this perspective, veterinarians emphasize that it is not possible to effectively address disease prevention and control by analyzing human and veterinary medicine separately. Parasite control in animals, proper environmental management, and food safety are pillars that directly impact the protection of the populationIn many localities there are initiatives aimed at supporting these measures.
Parasitic zoonoses can be transmitted through contact with contaminated feces, handling of infected animals, or by vectors such as fleas and ticks. In rural areas, where dogs, cats, livestock, and people share spaces, health surveillance and adherence to deworming programs become even more important.
The Veterinary College of León insists that deworming should not be perceived merely as a matter of comfort for the animal, but as a measure of collective preventionThe better parasites are controlled in dogs, cats, and farm animals, the lower the likelihood of disease outbreaks that also affect people.
Leishmaniasis and other risks in a warmer climate
Among the parasitic diseases with the greatest impact in Spain, and particularly in communities like Castile and León, veterinarians make special mention of the leishmaniasisIt is a zoonosis transmitted by the bite of infected sand flies (commonly known as "sand mosquitoes"), which mainly affects dogs, although it can also have consequences in humans.
Prevention of this disease is based primarily on Protect pets from vector bitesThis can be achieved through the regular use of specific repellents and insecticides recommended by a veterinarian. These products help reduce the likelihood of the sand fly feeding on the animal and transmitting the parasite responsible for the disease.
Experts point out that the progressive Rising temperatures favor the biological cycle of sandflies and other vectors, which prolongs their period of activity beyond the months traditionally considered high-risk. In practice, this means that animals are exposed to potentially infectious bites for a longer period throughout the year.
Given this situation, recommendations for deworming and protection against vectors have been adapted. Veterinarians emphasize that preventative measures cannot be limited solely to summer, as insect and parasite activity is extending into early spring and even autumn in many parts of Spain.
This change forces a rethinking of the classic treatment schedules and the adoption of more continuous prevention strategiesThese measures are tailored to the specific climatic and epidemiological realities of each region. Active surveillance, up-to-date information, and coordination among professionals are key to responding to a constantly evolving context.
Personalized deworming programs
The Veterinary Association of León reminds us that there is no single deworming schedule that is valid for all animals. The frequency and type of products to use depend on the animal. multiple individual factorsThese include lifestyle, age, physiological state, and the epidemiological situation of the area where the animal lives.
A dog that lives exclusively indoors in a city apartment is not the same as one that spends a good part of the day outdoors, frequently goes to the countryside, or lives on a farm. Similarly, dogsGeriatric animals or those with chronic illnesses require adapted protocols and closer monitoring.
For this reason, veterinarians emphasize the importance of a professional always designing the specific health program for each animal. After a clinical evaluation and reviewing the epidemiological data for the area, the veterinarian can determine how often to dewormwhat type of products to use and what combinations are most suitable.
In addition to treatments for internal parasites (such as pastes, tablets, or oral solutions) and external parasites (collars, spot-on treatments, or topical formulations), preventative plans typically include recommendations on hygiene, environmental control, and regular checkups. The goal is to detect any problems early and adjust preventive measures if conditions change.
The College points out that these health plans are essential not only to guarantee the well-being of the animals, but also to contain zoonosesA pet that is properly dewormed and regularly checked poses a much lower risk to the people it lives with and to the environment in general.
Owner responsibility and public health
Veterinarians in León are making an explicit appeal to pet owners to treat deworming as a obligation linked to responsible ownershipAnd not as a voluntary option. In their opinion, skipping checkups or spacing treatments too far apart opens the door to infestations becoming entrenched, which are then more difficult and costly to control.
The College emphasizes that following the protocols established by the professional significantly reduces the occurrence of diseases in animals and minimizes the use of emergency treatments. avoid unnecessary infections to the people who live with them, especially children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people.
Social awareness is considered a key element in improving prevention. In a context where the emotional bond with pets is increasingly strong and contact between humans and animals is intensifying in both urban and rural environments, keep up to date with deworming It becomes a basic measure of safe coexistence.
The Official College of the Veterinary Profession of León also highlights the role of prevention plans in livestock farms, where the control of internal and external parasites directly impacts productivity, food safety and the protection of those who work daily with the animals.
The institution points out that disease control in animals, along with proper environmental management, are among the tools veterinarians use to contribute to to safeguard the health of the entire societyCollaboration between landowners, farmers, veterinarians, and government agencies is presented as a requirement for these measures to be truly effective.
The call from veterinarians in León to reinforce deworming comes at a time when rising temperatures, changes in seasonal cycles, and close contact between people and animals make parasite control more relevant than ever. Considering deworming as routine care, following the professional's instructions, and maintaining constant preventative measures allows for the protection of both the animal and its health. the health of the animals, the health of their families, and the health of the population as a whole, fitting perfectly into the One Health approach promoted by the veterinary profession.
