You may be aware of the existence of the humble flea when you see your dog bent double trying to scratch, but did you know that both your dog and you can be at risk from desease because of that tiny pest?
Despite modern day advances in treatments available, we still find that many people have great difficulty in controlling fleas and the associated diseases which can come with flea infestation.
Anyone whose pet has ever had fleas knows the misery these tiny parasites can cause. Flea saliva is considered one of the most irritating substances on Earth — which is easy to believe when you see a beloved pet scratching frantically all night long.
Flea bites do damage beyond irritating your pet. Flea bites can cause a serious skin condition known as FAD (flea allergy dermatitis). In addition, fleas often carry tapeworm, a harmful intestinal parasite.
Once allowed into the home, fleas can quickly cause an infestation, and they will even bite you when looking for a host.
While Fall is usually flea and tick season in most areas, flea and tick season in Arkansas is all year round, so you can never let your guard down. Fleas thrive in temperatures around 70 degrees, but they can also live year round in a warm house.
You know how much one small insect bite can itch. Imagine not one but 10, 20, 50 or more bites at one time. While living and feeding on a dog, a single flea can lay hundreds of eggs.
Besides intense itching, fleas can cause serious skin irritation and discomfort. The cost of flea protection with some of the newer topical products might sound a bit expensive, but it's far less than dealing with complications to your dog's health caused by fleas.
Flea bites may cause additional discomfort due to possible skin irritation caused by allergic dermatitis. Since fleas feed on an animals blood, severe infestations may cause anemia. Fleas can also carry tapeworm larvae so dogs can also become infected with tapeworms after having fleas.
Some symptoms of flea bites include scratching, biting, broken skin and hair loss. If you see grains resembling salt and pepper around the house, it could mean that fleas are breeding on your pet. If you should notice any of these signs, call your veterinarian immediately.
Only 5% of the flea population are actually on your dog, the rest are in the environment (i.e. your house).
To control fleas effectively you have to treat both your pet and your household environment.
To control fleas effectively you have to treat both your pet and your household environment.
There are now a variety of very effective liquid topical treatments that make it easy to prevent and control fleas and ticks. Some brands, sold over the counter, are applied once a month. Other topical flea control products that last from 1 to 3 months are available only from a veterinarian.
There's also a prescription flea preventative medication that's administered orally, but that must be started before flea season.
Topical products kill fleas on contact. They are applied as a liquid, then they dry and disperse through a dogs coat. Topical flea treatments are usually sold in packs of 3 single dose vials or tubes, pre-measured according to a dog's weight. When applying these spot-on products, it's very important to part the hair to make sure the liquid goes directly on the dog's skin. Beginning at the shoulder blades, apply the liquid in a line, ending directly above the of the base of it's tail.
For a short time afterward the dogs hair may feel slightly greasy over the line where it was applied.
Separate your dogs from each other for a few hours after applying a new treatment.
When a dog who is protected by a topical flea control product needs a bath, use a gentle shampoo that won't wash away the protection.