Pests on or in your pooch!!!
Just because we are in “winter mode” which usually means we are inside more, it does not mean your dog will be free of fleas, ticks or worms that can carry disease. Maybe this isn’t the most pleasant topic, but it is necessary. Fleas are the most common and can cause itching, skin irritation and welts. Unfortunately, they can also lay eggs and multiply, so it is essential to eliminate or minimize any type of flea infestation. That can be difficult because there are over 200 different varieties of fleas in the United States alone and a female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. There are various methods of ridding your dog from fleas including flea collars, topical treatments, oral medications, flea baths and tips. The best thing to do is to contact your vet to get advice regarding flea elimination or prevention for your specific dog.
Ticks are more dangerous to dogs because they can carry canine and human diseases. A tick will attach itself to your dog’s skin and engorge itself with your dog’s blood and leave behind some of its own poison. One of the most debilitating diseases that dogs are subject to because of tick bites is Lyme disease. This can virtually cripple a dog, but it is preventable. There is a vaccine that can be given to dogs today to prevent or minimize the effects of Lyme disease. If you find a tick on your dog, rub the area with alcohol and then remove the tick with tweezers. If your dog has not been vaccinated, watch for potential symptoms of Lyme and then call the vet right away.
Worms…ugh….worms!!!! Worms and other parasites often infect puppies. However, older dogs can get worms also. The best way to detect for worms is to examine the fecal matter of your dog. Many times the worms will be visible to the naked eye. I know it sounds disgusting, and it is to look at as well. To have your dog treated, you would take the fecal matter to the vet to determine what type of worm or parasite it is, so that the dog can be treated with the correct medication.
December 7th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
[...] **Does your pet have pests? Not sure what they might be? Over at My Freindly Pets, Susan Mead has a … [...]