Canines and Fleas

SYMPTOMS THAT YOUR DOG HAS FLEAS

Generally, the most common symptoms of fleas are scratching or itchiness, loss of hair, hair that appears broken, crusts and erosions of the skin, and pimple-like bumps. Flea dirt is dried blood left behind by feeding fleas and appears black with granules larger than "usual" dirt. The most common place to locate flea dirt is on the rear of your dog's back, near the base of the tail and also the neck.

Pink or red skin (hot spots) and skin lesions are a sign of irritation and can be a sign that your dog has a flea allergy. It can also be a sign of another dermatitis and it's best that you consult your vet for a diagnosis and treatment. Flea allergies are the most common canine allergy skin disorder and can be very distressing for your pet. Canines that have this problem are hypersensitive to the saliva fleas pass onto the dog's skin when they bite. There are vet approved shampoos and soothing lotions available at your dog's vet that will help heal and alleviate the discomfort your pet is going through. These are much more effective than the 'treatments' you'd find in your local supermarket.
 

Summarizing, the most common symptoms of fleas are: - Itching and scratching - Flea dirt - Hair loss - Pink skin and irritation - Inflammation of the skin and/or pimply skin - Other dermatitis symptoms "Flea dirt is dried blood left behind by feeding fleas and appears black with granules larger than "usual" dirt. The most common place to locate flea dirt is on the rear of your dog's back, near the base of the tail and also the neck" The picture to the right is an example of a lot of flea dirt found on the animal.

	CONTROLLING FLEAS

Removing fleas from your house and your canine is the best way to control the population of fleas in your dog's environment. Bathing your dog with a flea shampoo is a good way to remove fleas from the body of your canine.
 

Do not just assume that what your dog has is fleas - unless you have actual evidence of them such as the actual fleas or flea dirt. There are many types of dermatitis disorders that your dog may have if you cannot find the fleas or dirt, so be sure to consult your vet for a full examination. Vets are trained to find the cause of your dog's irritations. Your dog's vet will do a full history check to determine why your dog is irritated and scratching. They will need to eliminate allergies to food and inhalants, parasites including worms, drug reactions, folliculitis and fungal infections. Ask your vet for preventative medicines against fleas as it's easier to prevent than have to 'cure' your dog of fleas. If your dog does have flea allergies, it's easier, and cheaper to just prevent the fleas from irritating it rather that treating a distressed dog who can't stop scratching, even though the area it's scratching and biting is painful.

Many flea preventative tablets, chewables and washes come with tick control as well - which is very important if you're in a tick area. Paralysis ticks can kill your canine within 24 hours if not treated with an anti-serum (which can be pricey as $300+ on the spot).... so again, prevention is better than cure.

Fleas are a menace to canines, felines and also humans (trust us, if you don't realize your house has fleas, you'll begin to notice if your dog goes away for a week or two!). They cause allergic dermatitis tapeworms and anemia. Most flea eggs are not laid on the dog but in the dog's environment - on its bedding, rugs and on the furniture, so it is important to treat the environment in which your dog inhabits to fully get rid of them.

Unfortunately, many flea killing treatments kill the adult fleas and the larvae but leave the eggs, letting them have another bout of infestation just days later. Eggs have a protective wax that usually withstands the poison of most flea treatments. When you're looking for a treatment against fleas, their larvae AND their eggs (let's face it, we don't want to just kill the things we see - we want to stop them from coming back), make sure you look for treatments that will kill the eggs as well... below is an example of a treatment that provides better results than other canine flea treatments because it kills the eggs as well as the adult fleas and their larvae.
 

Household IGR Spray 500ml 04/541
Although adult fleas spend most of their time on dogs and cats, their eggs and larvae are found in your carpets and soft furnishings and your pet's bedding. Using this spray will kill the adult fleas, their larvae and their eggs on contact and continue to kill them for up to 3 months. It's safe for your dogs to be around this spray so you don't have to worry about the spray affecting their health.

  Kills the eggs and larvae in your dog's environment! Super Effective!

Brushing your canine daily with a flea comb will not only help with your dogs circulation and stimulate the natural oils in their skin, but also help find flea dirt which falls off easily when brushed.  Also, dog combing is a great form of bonding and can be physically therapeutic for both you and your dog!
Here are some great value and inexpensive flea combs we highly recommend:
  Mikki Flea Comb
  Mikki Flea Comb Small Animal (ideal for small dogs!)
  Flea Comb Metal
  Dual Action Flea Comb

We've organized this page so that you can find the ideal flea product for your canine divided between treatments for the dog's environment and also for the dog itself.  You'll come to notice our prices are up to 70% off what you'd pay at most veterinarian clinics and in we consider them more effective than the products found in supermarkets too!  Online is the way to go!  AND it's quick, easy and there's even free delivery available (depending on your total purchases).