Fleas And Ticks On Dogs
Fleas, Ticks and Mites, Oh My!
By Garry Neale
External parasites are common among most dogs. An external parasite is an insect that lives off the blood supply of the host. The common parasites found on dogs are; fleas, ticks, mites and lice.
Fleas
Fleas are parasites and derive most of their food supply from their hosts. Fleas not only feed off dogs, but will bite just about any other mammal they come in contact with, including humans. A dog that has a heavily infestation will scratch themselves constantly which leads to other secondary skin problems. Fleas are also a host for and infect your dog with tapeworms, an internal parasite.
When fleas are fall off or are removed from a host for a period of time, they don't have a food source. As a result, the hungry fleas will attack the first warm-blooded creature that comes near and often times, this mean biting people. The adult fleas live on blood and must have a blood meal in order to reproduce.
In order to get rid of fleas some people try using a flea comb, but this is not very effective and it's also very time consuming. Most dog owners prefer to use a flea shampoo to attack the problem. Shampooing your dog also gets rid of the skin flakes that fall on the ground and act as food for the flea larvae. Flea collars and topical medications are not as effective as shampooing or dipping, but have been shown to help prevent re-infestation.
Ticks
Dog ticks are another parasite that feeds on blood. Dogs usually get ticks from bushes and shrubbery. These ticks are usually found in the ears, around your the neck or in the creases on the inside of the leg. The ticks can be removed with a pair of small tweezers, but try not to crush the tick while removing as this may cause its saliva to enter the dog's body, creating a possibility of skin irritation or infection. Remove the parasite as gently as possible.
The dog tick is the primary carrier of diseases like canine ehrlichiosis, and in some cases rocky mountain spotted fever, a disease that is also very dangers to humans. Your dogs should be examined closely for ticks on at least a weekly basis if it spends anytime at all outdoors.
Mites
Mites are microscopic parasites that burrow their way into the dog's body through the skin. All dogs normally have a small population of mites living on their body. However, a condition called Mange can develop if your dog's immune system is not working properly. If you see your dog is losing hair and patches of bare skin are visible, you need to have it checked thoroughly by a vet. A lot of diseases can cause hair loss, so it doesn't necessarily mean your pet has Mange. But only a vet can tell for sure.
Severe scratching is another sign to watch out for. If your dog scratches a lot, you need to have it checked. Also, as the mite population gets out of control, your dog may take on a strange athlete's foot-like odor.
Ivermectin, a commonly used de-wormer is the most common treatment for Mange. The medication is usually administered orally, but it can be injected under the skin. In sever cases, your vet will usually institute a regimen of medicated shampoo treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
what is the best yet cheap treatment for fleas/ticks on dogs?
my dog has lots of it and we cant take it off of him everyday, and its difficult.what can be the best yet cheap treatment for it? a powder or a shampoo?or both? what brands? I just want to get rid of those fleas/ticks on him ASAP.-
ANSWER:
I think that it would be worth your time to go to the vet and get some Front Line,you apply only a couple drops to the back of the neck,you have to be careful with flea shampoo,most will really irritate the dogs skin more, make sure that you vacuum each and every day and if the vacuum cleaner has a bag then dispose of the bag too,it usually takes the first frost to kill any fleas outside.
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QUESTION:
is hartz brand okay to use for fleas/ticks on dogs?
i know frontline is the best but the vet on base was closed, so i bought hartz flea tick and larvae drops that protect for 30 days... and i bought the hartz shampoo for ticks and fleas....
is that gonna work has anyone used this?-
ANSWER:
No please don't use it! bring it back to where you got it. Hartz has been know to cause sever allergic reactions in dogs. It has also cause some dogs to have such sever reactions as to cause the dogs to have seizures and die.On top of all this it doesn't work and is a waste of your money!
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QUESTION:
What is the best medicine for fleas and ticks on dogs?
I need recommendations! Thanks!!-
ANSWER:
Frontline Plus. It is waterproof, treats fleas and ticks, and lasts longer than other brands up to 3 months each dose. Other brands typically last 1 month per application. It is generally very well tolerated.I have seen really bad reactions to the pesticides in cheap brand flea drops. The absolute worst is HARTZ brand. It causes convulsions in many pets. (The pesticides work by attacking the nervous system in pests, but cheaper brands can attack your pets' nervous system too.)
I have used Frontline plus on my really tiny chihuahuas for years. Apply only as needed, and I sometimes can get a lot longer than 3 months out of one dose. If your dog needs a bath, bathe at least 2 days before, or at least 2 days after.
I have also used Advantage, which is good, but not waterproof, does not treat ticks, and lasts only one month. I do not recommend Advantix (for fleas and ticks) as it has produced many seizure type reactions at the animal hospital that I work at, so we pulled it off the shelves years ago. (It has a different pesticide than normal Advantage.)
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QUESTION:
Anybody know a home remedy that will get rid of fleas and ticks on dogs?-
ANSWER:
I'm not a huge fan of the store brand flea and tick products. But I do understand the need for them in places where there is an abundance of these pests. Luckily my dog isn't at high risk. I like to search for herbal remedies for most things I can help prevent. I found a little article I bookmarked that lists a few natural alternatives to preventing fleas and ticks. http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/Natural-Flea-and-Tick-Repellent-for-Dogs.694111 I've been following it for a while and it's been working great. Even if it isn't 100% effective, the general health of my dog has improved. I hope you find a solution that works for you.
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QUESTION:
About fleas and ticks on dogs?
Is there anything out there that will take care of my dog's fleas and ticks? Please don't tell me frontline or advantage, they are so expensive it's crazy I would have to pay 5 for one years worth. That's crazy to have to pay that much money. Anyways, is there an alternative that someone out there knows about that costs much less? Thank you very much...-
ANSWER:
From my wife:1. Get it on ebay.
2. Do not buy from anyone outside the U.S.
3. The size of your dog(s) determines the dose. My wife buys (Advantix) from a lady in Florida but buys a large vial. She then uses a small syringe to apply the correct amount to our dogs.
Here is the difference: buys 4 individual doses. buys a vial with 24 doses. Big difference!
Also, try KV Pet, use the online catalog. Same approach, buy in bulk.
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