Yikes I Saw A Flea On My Dog
by: Gary Allison
At some stage of your pet's lifespan every pet owner will have to deal with
the problem of fleas, ticks and mites. If left untreated they can take over
your pet's skin and coat so it is really important to keep it under control.
It's best to stop the problem before it gets out of control. Rather treat your
pet for a few fleas than treat the whole house for an infestation!
There are some misconceptions about fleas. It is not something that only happens
to dirty animals! In fact it is probably more common in clean animals because
fleas prefer a clean coat. Coming into contact with other animals also causes
exposure to the problem and can start a flea problem in your home.
Fleas, mites and ticks are parasites with a short lifespan so they reproduce
quickly. Female fleas can lay up to 25 eggs a day. So you can see just how quickly
the problem can get out of hand! They tend to prefer warm conditions so summer
and spring are the most troublesome times for pets and owners. The main thing
is that you want to catch the problem early! This means brushing your dog often
and inspecting their coat. Fleas, ticks and mites are tiny black, brown crawling
creatures that can even look like dirt. It may help for you to examine the fur
under their ears and arms/legs. Fleas like warm places. You can also sea flea
egg sacks and flea droppings in their fur if you look closely. If you still
cannot see the fleas try combing your dog on a bright surface, something like
a piece of paper should work well.
This is a problem that needs to be treated right away. Instead of heading for
the pet store to buy expensive over-the-counter treatments, sprays or dips you
should rather seek professional help right away. It will save you time. Your
vet should have some pamphlets or handouts about flea
control. Some vets even prescribe oral treatments if the problem is out
severe.
If you choose to shop for the products yourself you will need to read the labels
carefully to check that you are not inadvertently poisoning your pet! Never
allow your pet to ingest any of the products you use; they are highly poisonous.
It's also important to protect their eyes from these harsh chemicals. There
is a lot of disagreement about whether or not flea collars work. They tend to
kill fleas in a localized area around the collar.
It is important to treat your home for fleas as well. Fleas can survive in almost
anything in your home-furniture, rugs and bedding. Any flea treatments will
be pointless if the flea's eggs or fleas themselves remain in your living space.
To clean your home properly you will need to sanitize and clean the areas where
the pet sleeps. Depending on the severity of the problem you may need to throw
away blankets that have become infested with eggs. Often - just washing the
affected bedding in hot water and some flea shampoo should do the trick. Rather
safe than sorry though - if in doubt toss the bedding. Having to have your home
fumigated will cost a lot more!
Fleas can become a nightmare for any pet owner. Rather stop the problem early
- check your pet everyday for fleas and regularly use a preventative product
approved by your vet.
About The Author
Gary Allison is a third generation of professional
dog breeders. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers
and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and
Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website
that showcases the puppies he occasionally has for sale at http://allmypuppiesonline.com.
Gary is also the author of two consumer guides, http://carpetsecrets.com and
http://movingsecretsguide.com.
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