When summer and the holidays approach, dogs often spend more time outdoors than at other times of the year. However, this season brings with it a significant increase in the risks associated with external parasites, especially fleas and ticks. These parasites not only cause discomfort to our four-legged friends, but can also transmit serious diseases. That is why it is important to be able to recognize them and know what to do if necessary.
Fleas: an annoying problem
Fleas are small wingless insects that can jump long distances to reach their hosts. They feed on blood, causing itching and skin irritation. In dogs infested with many fleas, blood loss can also lead to anemia, pale mucous membranes and general weakness. In addition, some dogs can also develop flea allergy dermatitis, which manifests itself in severe itching (to relieve the discomfort, you may see the dog scratching, rubbing against objects, biting its skin, sometimes even to the point of causing small wounds), hair loss, redness of the skin and inflammation on the bites. Sometimes the situation is complicated by bacterial infections that increase the itching.
Tick, silent but dangerous
Ticks attach themselves to the dog’s skin with their front legs and insert their heads under the skin to feed on blood. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. Tick bites can not only cause itching, but can also be dangerous, as ticks can transmit serious infections such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, some of which can also be transmitted to humans.
Act at the first suspicion
In case of infestation, rapid intervention is essential. In the case of fleas, in addition to the constant itching, red skin and hair loss, you can see a few fleas directly on the animal or, more often, find their excrement in the form of black “dots” on the dog’s skin or in the dog’s skin. it is. The proof that it is indeed flea excrement is a reddish halo that appears when the dots are moistened with a little water.
In the case of ticks, some can be found directly on the dog’s body, especially in the head, neck and paw area, but sometimes only the symptoms of tick-borne diseases are detected, for example, fever, lethargy and joint pain. In order to timely detect the presence of ticks on the dog’s body, regular checks of the dog’s coat are essential, especially after a walk in tall grass or bushes. In the case of fleas, antiparasitic treatment of the dog is necessary, but the environment should also be treated, paying special attention to the places where the dog spends most of its time. A vacuum cleaner and a washing machine are allies in this process, but in some cases more drastic interventions are required to remove adult fleas and their immature forms from the house. And if there are other animals where the dog lives, the treatment should also be extended to them. However, ticks should be removed with the help of special tweezers and not directly with the hands. Make sure that no parts of the parasite remain under the skin. In addition, the dog should be monitored for the next two to three weeks in case it hatches a disease transmitted by the tick bite.
But better to prevent
Prevention is the key to protecting dogs from these parasites. There are various pesticides on the market, such as collars, sprays, shampoos and tablets, which can be used to prevent infestations. It is advisable to consult your veterinarian to choose the most suitable product for your dog, taking into account age, weight and health status, so that everyone can guarantee a safe and pleasant summer. This is because fleas and ticks are a problem that does not only affect dogs. Taking preventive measures and seeking immediate treatment is also essential to protect us, humans and our homes.
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