Ticks and fleas in dogs are as natural as having to see frogs and crickets by the pond; or to catch bees and butterflies in our rose patch. But because vermin can harm our furry little animals, it is important to know some basic facts about these two vermins.
Dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) are tiny (1.5 to 3.3 mm long) six legged wingless insect. It is very agile and can hop either horizontally or vertically up to 200 times its own height. Its body is hard and polished with tiny hairs directed backwards making it very easy to move around the fur strands of its host. They have an armor-like shell that provides defense to finger pricks and pressure. It feeds on mammals’ blood by piercing and sucking with its tube-like mouth.
Fleas – Life Series and Environment
An older female flea after having a good feast of fresh blood from its host may lay up to 50 eggs per day. A healthy well fed pair of these micro-monsters living in a very convenient environment and perfect climate can produce around 20,000 nasty fleas in 3 months! They lay the eggs on their host and consequently these eggs hatch after two days or two weeks after. These larvae will feed on tiny food debris (desiccated blood, skin debris, etc). After some time, it can transform into tiny pupae which, later on, will hatch into a new batch of scratch causing nuisance not only on the dog but also to its owner! It is important to keep in mind the life cycle of the flea before considering what kind of protective measure you are going to undertake. This could give you a better chance of breaking the cycle of reproduction.
To determine if your dog is infected with fleas, you can check for these common signs:
- Look for flea dirt. Test if these are excreta from fleas by wiping them using a damp paper cloth or towel. If you catch a tinge of blood on your towel, then it is confirmed. Your pet is infected with fleas.
- Use of flea comb.
- Bald patches due to skin irritation or excessive scratching, redness, and tiny red spots on your dog’s complexion
As soon as you confirmed that your dog is infested with fleas, consult your respective veterinarian on the subject of preemptive care and management for fleas.
Ticks on the other hand is a close relative of a spider. They are eight legged arachnid that are known to spread diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tick paralysis. The most common among its species that feed on dogs are wood tick, brown dog tick, and the deer tick; they all thrive in woods and shrubby areas.
Unlike fleas, ticks are slow movers, in this manner they can easily be spotted and removed with the help of cotton buds dipped in antiseptic, and tweezers. They’re generally found between the dog’s armpits, inside ear flaps, between digits and paw pads, tail, inside thighs, et cetera.
Using the tweezers, grasp the tick firmly, then, gently rock the bug back and forth until it lets go. Be sure to avoid contact with the ticks’ body fluid by wearing clean gloves or surgical bags. To avoid local infection on the spot where the ticks were removed, a blob of antiseptic is recommended.
To control tick infestation, you must discourage suitable breeding habitat by regular trimming of the grasses and shrubberies around your house. To manage the condition, there are medicated shampoos, powders and sprays that are specifically design to banish ticks and fleas. Nonetheless, a visit to a licensed veterinarian is highly suggested to ensure proper care of your treasured pet and safety of your family.
Handle ticks and fleas today with Frontline for dogs. Frontline for Dogs treats all types of fleas and ticks and kills them quickly.
