Fleas and ticks are a common problem for canines all year round, especially here in the Sarasota area. These pests not only cause discomfort, but they may also carry harmful diseases. Dog owners who learn to recognize the signs of these pests and eliminate them quickly can save their dog from frustration, itchiness, pain and inflammation – giving the dog relief and allowing him to relax.
Fleas
These tiny insects bite into skin and feed on blood. When present, they cause irritation, itchiness, and anemia. Fleas can jump extremely far relative to their body size, so they spread easily among dogs and people. Your dog may have fleas if you observe them:
- excessively scratching/biting their skin, particularly on their hind legs and tail
- developing scabs
- small dark dots on their fur called flea dirt
- insects jumping from your dog’s fur
Prevention is the most effective way to manage fleas. Prevention comes in a variety of methods including liquid applicants, flea collars that release a pesticide onto the fur, or oral pills that transmit a chemical to fleas when they bite. Prescription preventatives are the most effective at warding off fleas as many fleas have developed resistance to over-the-counter preventions. Flea prevention is not a one-and-done deal; you must change or reapply according to the specific brand. Some collars last up to eight months while some chews last only three months.
To treat a current infestation, your veterinarian will recommend starting a prevention to kill any fleas currently on your dog. The life cycle of a flea including reproduction is about three months, so you will want to use a prevention that lasts that long to make sure the fleas are killed and there are no eggs left behind.
To treat your home, vacuum all floors (including hardwoods and tiles) and furniture and dispose of the vacuum contents outside of the home. You need to scrub and soak all blankets and bedding in hot, soapy water. Disburse some form of flea repellent onto your lawn so that any fleas living outside cannot hitch a ride on your dog. It can also be beneficial to hire a pest control company to “flea-bomb” your house to kill any adult fleas.
Ticks
There are not any immediate signs of a tick attaching itself to your dog, so owners should check their pet regularly for ticks, especially after spending time in heavily wooded areas. Ticks cause a variety of diseases, such as lyme disease and can transmit infections within three to six hours of biting.
If you find a tick on your dog, remove it using tweezers or a tick-removal device such as a Tick-Stick.
- Grab the tick close to the skin and pull straight upward slowly.
- Do not use a tearing motion as this can leave the mouth in the skin and lead to infection.
- Do not remove the tick with your fingers as this can inject infectious material into the dog.
- Immediately wash your hands, and disinfect both the bite and the removal tool with alcohol.
- Save the tick in a plastic bag in the freezer and record the date of the bite in case your dog begins showing symptoms.
Not all flea preventions also protect against ticks. Most prescription preventatives protect against ticks, but ask your veterinarian if you aren’t sure whether or not your dog is protected.
At Gulf Cost K9 Dog Training, we are committed to your dog’s overall health and safety. One way to do this is to make sure your dog is properly trained in obedience. Call today if your puppy needs training, or your older dog needs a refresher course in basic commands. We are here to help.
