Fleas on Dogs
Fleas on Dogs
We love to keep pets – the companionship and the enjoyment we get from caring for a cat or dog is something that cannot be found elsewhere – yet fleas on dogs are an almost ubiquitous problem, just as the tiny parasites affect cats to such a great degree, too.
Fleas are everywhere; these microscopic and very resilient creatures are said to affect every single dog and cat at some point during its lifetime (and in most cases more than once) and treating them is made more difficult still by the absolutely minute size.
Fleas On Dogs : Creatures Feed on the Animal’s Blood
The problem with fleas on dogs is that the creatures feed on the animal’s blood; in young dogs especially this can lead to added infection as the fleas cause blood problems and other infections which can lead to serious illness and even death in very young animals.
Dogs that associate with others are likely to contract fleas by contact; fleas cannot fly yet they have an amazing ability to jump more than 200 times the length of their body, a feat that is not matched by any other creature. This means they can easily transfer between hosts, and that they spread very quickly indeed.
One problem that is prevalent in flea infestations on dogs – and in fleas on humans, too – is that some can be subject to allergenic reactions to the presence of the creatures. This is another way in which the parasites can cause greater problems if they are left untreated.
Fleas are not just a minor problem, therefore, but one that should be treated with a serious intent. If you have more than one dog then the fleas will undoubtedly spread between the animals, making successful treatment ever more important.
Getting rid of fleas is best done by way of one of the many insecticide treatments available from vets and pharmacies widely, and these are known to have very successful results. Further help can be given by frequent and thorough vacuuming and keeping the animals washed, while combing through the hair of the pet can allow you to see fleas as they fall off onto a carefully placed sheet of white paper.
Any animals that are suspected of having fleas should be kept away from others until the infestation is known to have been destroyed, while any suspected cases of fleas need to be diagnosed quickly and correctly, and the very best possible treatment administered as quickly as possible.
How to treat fleas on dogs?
Use Advantage – For Dogs & Puppies For Fleas on dogs! Advantage is a long-lasting, once a month topical flea treatment. This over-the-counter formula is for puppies and dogs 8 weeks or older. Advantage contains imidacloprid, this fast acting flea preventive stops fleas from biting in 3-5 minutes, begins killing fleas within the first hour of application and eliminates 98%-100% of adult fleas within 12 hours of use. The ingredient imidacloprid works by affecting the flea or tick’s nervous system. Because Advantage works fast and has been found to be ideal for dogs suffering from Flea Allergy Dermatitis.
All About Fleas.
Mites
Mites or Bed Bugs?
Mites are a collection of tiny creatures that live as parasites on both humans and animals, and are members of the arachnid family along with spiders. They are a common pest all across the world and are very widely spread, and are particularly troublesome when found on domestic pets such as cats and dogs, and on us.
There are several types of mites that like to exert their parasitical living style, and among the most problematic is the scabies mite. One of the more disgusting facts about the scabies mite – which is not uncommon on humans – is that it burrows into the skin to lay its eggs; this action results in a tiny silvery line that appears to be on the skin, the giveaway sign of the scabies mite.
On animals the problems occur when large numbers of the creatures congregate, and create a condition that can be very nasty indeed called sarcoptic mange; this results in loss of hair and severe skin infection for the creature concerned and is particularly prevalent in dogs.
The problem in humans is known as scabies, and results in a very ugly and irritating rash that can spread to many parts of the body and become so severe it may affect the sleeping patterns of the infected.
Another very common type of mite that is found abundantly in our lives is the house dust mite, a particularly annoying creature that is difficult, if not impossible, to see. It lives among the dust that settles on household objects – it is that small – and affects us as it causes an allergenic reaction in the respiratory system; this can be very dangerous in some cases, and it is helpful for sufferers of such as asthma if they do everything to keep the chances of the dust mite affecting them down.
To get rid of dust mites entirely is thought to be impossible, for they are simply too small and too mobile; the best advice is to carry out regular hoovering and cleaning and to do away with as much carpet and soft furnishings – the mites chosen habitat – as you can. The subject of how to get rid of scabies mites is another thing entirely, and involves the application of insecticide lotions and creams that kill the insects and their eggs, and enable to the patient to live a normal life again.
Skin mites have been with us for millions of years and, as we are seeing, are unlikely to be eradicated during our lifetime or in the foreseeable future.
Fleas
Fleas
Fleas are famous as the tiny creatures, microscopic even, that infect our pet dogs and cats and force them to itch uncontrollably; anyone who owns a dog or cat will undoubtedly have had an experience with fleas, as it is practically impossible to stop these tiny parasites from taking up residence on your beloved pet’s hair.
Despite common belief fleas on dogs are different creatures to fleas on cats or, indeed, to fleas on humans; while one will jump from a cat to a dog it will not survive for very long, hence treating each animal individually is essential. Getting rid of fleas can be a time consuming exercise, and you can be almost certain that there will never only be one infestation of fleas. A cat that goes out into the neighbourhood, for instance, is bound to catch them from other cats in the area, and dogs likewise.
Fleas are, in fact, quite remarkable creatures which have fascinated scientists and biologists for as long as we have been aware of them; measuring no more than a little over 3mm, and often much less, fleas have a quite remarkable ability to jump more than 200 times their own body length, an achievement enabled by specially designed back legs which are made for the purpose. Contrary to many tales they cannot fly, and it is by jumping that they move between hosts.
Killing fleas is a problematic concern; it is nigh on impossible to catch a flea with the fingers, and even when it has been caught it is difficult to crush such a small animal, hence there are a number of insecticide treatments for dogs, cats and humans – make sure you have the right one for each may be dangerous to another – that are made to deal with the flea problem. Also advised is vacuuming, as in the case of the dust mite, for fleas will undoubtedly be present on soft furnishings and other household items present in the average home, and there are also pest control services that will try and eliminate the creatures from your home.
It is common in those who wish to use home remedies to obtain Borates, and this is known to kill the flea eggs at source. All of these methods should be treated with caution, however, for the use of potentially dangerous chemicals and substances is not something that should be done without first making sure the correct diagnosis has been made.
