Itch, itch. Scratch, scratch, scratch. Does that sound familiar? Hopefully not, but if it does you might be one of the millions of people whose dog has fleas, mites or other miniscule cretins leeching upon him.
Fleas are tiny insects use their long, powerful legs to catapult onto your dog's body, where they burrow into his fur, live off his blood, and raise families of thousands. Many dogs develop a sensitivity to flea saliva, which the flea injects into your dog's skin as a way to prevent his blood from coagulating and thereby ensure a plentiful meal. If this is the case with your pup, you'll see him scratch, scratch, scratching away.
Whether or not your dog has an allergy to fleas, they're without a doubt an annoying pest that's tough to eradicate. Once your dog has contracted fleas, they will quickly spread to any area where he is a frequent visitor- his bedding, his doghouse, your carpet and furniture, and possibly your clothing and bedding as well.
Fleas and Disease
The most common complication of fleas on your dog is tapeworms in his stool. Yes, it is foul, but as it is with parasites, one often hosts the other, and many a flea has been host to a tapeworm who then made his way into your dog's intestinal tract. Just another great reason to keep those fleas off your dog. The other reason is anemia. Animals that thrive on your dog's blood literally suck the life out of him... so if fleas have been preying upon your pooch, he may show signs of anemia, such as extreme fatigue. Get him to the vet for a thorough examination and inquire about what vitamins and supplements you can give to restore your dog back to a healthy, energetic state.
How to Tell if Your Dog Has Fleas
The most obvious sign of fleas on your dog is constant scratching and irritation of the skin. You may notice pink welts on his belly that eventually crust over; these are flea bites. Another way to check him for fleas is to have him stand on a few pieces of white paper while you comb through his fur. If you see little black flecks on the paper that look a lot like ground pepper, you've got yourself a flea situation. The little flecks are "flea dirt," and when you moisten them with water they'll turn dark red because they contain blood... the blood of your poor dog that those nasty fleas have been feasting on!
Flea Prevention
Ask your vet what methods he recommends to repel fleas. In the old days, most everyone put a flea collar and/or used flea powder on their dog. Some had their dogs "dipped" in a flea repellant bath. Today there are more sophisticated options in addition to the traditional methods... some of which are all-natural and environmentally friendly, and others which are chemical-based and afford extended protection with minimal application.
IGRs (insect growth regulators) kill flea eggs and flea larvae, and are available in both collar and spray form as well as oral medication. Sentinel? is one product that does double duty as both a flea repellant and heartworm protection, and only requires one application per month.
Adulticides kill the actual flea and can be purchased as both spot-on and oral products. Frontline? is one brand that is applied to your dog's shoulder blade area, where it is absorbed and distributed throughout his system. When fleas come in contact with his skin that's been treated with Frontline? or a similar insecticide, they die instantly.
Flea Control in Your Home
Hopefully, you'll take the proper precautions to keep fleas at bay, so you'll never know the unpleasantness of a flea-ridden home. But if you do happen to find fleas, you'll need to act quickly to avoid infestation. First and foremost, give your vet a call and ask him the best method of de-flea-ing your dog and your home. Treat your carpets, furniture, dog bed, and areas outside your home where your dog is frequently found, with an approved flea treatment. Thoroughly vacuum every inch of carpet, and your mattresses if you think there may be a problem there as well. And don't forget to apply flea repellant to the inside of your vacuum! Although it does a great job of sucking up those creepy little creatures, your warm and cozy vaccuum serves as the perfect flea-breeding incubator, which can mean reinfestation later.
No one wants to spray or bomb their home with harmful pesticides, but if you don't take preventive measures against fleas on your dog, that's pretty much your only option to be rid of them. So do yourself a favor and get a flea repellent for that pup of yours!
Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.
Dina Giolitto is a copywriting consultant and ghostwriter with 10 years of experience writing corporate print materials and web content. Trust her with your next e-book, article series or web project, and make a lasting impression on your audience of information-hungry prospects. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for more information.
Culver prom limo ..Many cat owners believe that their good little kitty would... Read More
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you... Read More
As we love to have a comfortable place to sleep... Read More
I really do not hope your are eating something, but... Read More
Is your bird a seed only eater? Did you know... Read More
Have you noticed that doctors are now being much more... Read More
Location of your aquariumSo, you bought your very first fish... Read More
As with every training tool used to modify a behavior... Read More
You know that cats should always have a supply of... Read More
Unfortunately, there are a number of household items which we... Read More
Remember when you first met your dog? He was fresh... Read More
Even the most dedicated cat lover has little patience with... Read More
A respiratory tract ailment can be fatal to your parrot... Read More
Having a pet is an experiance that I think everyone... Read More
Attempting to train your dog to walk on a leash... Read More
Our pets give us so much. They entertain us, listen... Read More
You want your dog to swim?We're going to try to... Read More
Have you ever been to a dog kennel and listen... Read More
If you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding... Read More
Goldfish care is critical for the health of your goldfish.... Read More
Poor Dog. Subjected to my most ambitious experiments, she still... Read More
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More
Aren't they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing... Read More
Pregnant cats have to eat for two, three, four, five,... Read More
Interacting with a pet bird outside of it's cage is... Read More
Wood Dale limo ..Have you ever wondered what a dog thinks, or if... Read More
Doggie day care is becoming more and more prevalent in... Read More
Whether you are searching for something to say "Happy Birthday"... Read More
How do you build a goldfish pond outdoors?The tools you... Read More
With ancestors who were a breed of tenacious terriers, most... Read More
Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off of other... Read More
Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze... Read More
To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about... Read More
Maintaining your fish bowl can be difficult sometimes. However, your... Read More
Show an uninformed dog lover a photo of a Westie,... Read More
Do you own a horse? If so, then you have... Read More
As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give... Read More
Interacting with a pet bird outside of it's cage is... Read More
Americans are more concerned about health than ever before, so... Read More
Quieting a barking dog is a quick and easy process.... Read More
Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been... Read More
Many pet owners don't like using a leash, for a... Read More
1. Accidents and medical emergencies in the home happen frequently.... Read More
Because it is intelligent and energetic, a Westie terrier is... Read More
Many people feel that taking the time to train their... Read More
A dog that is feeling pain can often be highly... Read More
The most important things in dog training are consistency, keeping... Read More
In most cases you should not be too concerned about... Read More
Are you nuts? You think banging your finger with a... Read More
Boxer Dogs Information - What Are Boxer Dogs? Boxer dogs... Read More
Pet |