Living in the New Forest and along the Dorset coast gives us access to some of the country’s most beautiful places to explore with our pets. As veterinary professionals—and pet owners ourselves—we understand how important it is to protect our pets and the environment they enjoy.
Finding the Right Balance
There has been growing discussion recently about the environmental impact of some parasite treatments. Like many areas of veterinary medicine, our understanding continues to evolve as new evidence emerges.
At Priory Vets, we moved away from routine “one-size-fits-all” parasite prevention several years ago. When early studies showed that some commonly used spot-on parasite treatments were being detected in rivers and waterways, we reviewed the products we recommended. Today, we focus on creating tailored parasite plans based on each pet’s individual lifestyle and risk factors. A pet who spends every day exploring woodland, fields and waterways has very different needs to one who spends most of their time at home.
That doesn’t mean parasite protection is no longer important. In fact, some parasites remain a significant concern locally. Lungworm, which can be carried by slugs and snails, is found throughout our area and can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening, illness in dogs. Ticks are also common in the New Forest and can transmit disease, while fleas remain a common year‑round cause of discomfort and household infestation. Appropriate parasite protection remains an important part of healthcare to protect our pets and the environment.
Our role is to help owners find the right balance; By tailoring our recommendations, we can keep pets safe while being mindful of the wider environment.
Small actions matter
Environmental responsibility isn’t just about medicines. Many dog owners will have noticed that advice around dog waste has changed in recent years. Rather than “stick and flick”, the recommendation is now to “bag and bin”. Dog waste can introduce parasites, bacteria and excess nutrients into natural habitats and waterways, affecting wildlife and the wider ecosystem.
As pet owners, we all have a role in protecting the places we enjoy walking every day. By making informed choices and following evidence-based advice, we can help protect both our pets and the unique landscape we are fortunate to share.
