Dogs - Home / Flea and Tick Treatments

Flea and Tick treatments, prevention and control

Treating for fleas and ticks is very important and there are a number of products available on the market that make treatment very easy.

Fleas

Fleas can cause irritation, making your dog itch and they can transmit tapeworms. As well, they are the cause of some skin problems. If your dog has fleas it is important to treat your dog as well as the environment.

If left untreated fleas can become a major problem. They are small and hard to detect, but there is a simple method for determining if your pet has fleas. Gently comb through your dogs coat and if any small foreign materials shaken from the comb onto a moist, white tissue dissolve and leave a red stain, your pet has fleas. Since you will be grooming your dog regularly this is a good way of knowing whether or not your dog has fleas.

Dogs show differing levels of irritation to fleas. Some are allergic to flea bites and saliva and will scratch and bite at the irritated area. This can cause skin problems. Fleas can also cause anemia and in puppies a severe flea infestation resulting in anemia can lead to death.

There are a number of flea treatments to choose from, come of which are preventative, including: flea collars, flea powders, flea shampoos, household flea sprays and powders, flea sprays in aerosol and pump varieties, and flea drops applied to the nape of the neck inside the collar. You veterinarian will give you the best advice on flea treatment for your situation. Advantage is a common topical flea treatment the prevents infestations and kills fleas.

Ticks

Ticks are most common in tall grass areas where sheep have been. They are bloodsucking parasites that attach themselves firmly to their host. They are most common in the UK, but can cause serious problems in other overseas countries. There is evidence that they can cause Lyme disease, although this is most common in the US. Ticks should be treated and removed as soon as possible and not left to fall off on their own.

Ticks most commonly are found on the face, ears and abdomen of dogs. One of the first signs of ticks is a small grey dot on your dogs skin. The tick will grow as it feeds and can become the size of a small pea. Often ticks are mistaken for warts or lumps.

Ticks can be difficult to remove and often the mouth parts are left behind. This can lead to infection or the development of abscess. If not removed ticks can cause infection and abscess at the point of attachment, and they also transmit serious diseases. Ticks need to be treated as they can cause diseases in both humans and animals and some of these diseases can be life threatening. Seek advice from your veterinarian on the removal and treatment of ticks.

If you are going into an area where you suspect there may be ticks you can pre-treat your dog. As well if your dog is in regular contact with sheep or hedgehogs it is important to seek regular treatment to prevent infestation.

dogs - home | dog beds & bedding | dog houses & carriers | dog clothes | dog collars & leashes

dog bowls & feeders | dog food & treats | dog tags | dog grooming supplies | flea & tick treatments