Along with the hot weather come the fleas. It’s important to make
sure your dog is protected from these pesky parasites – not just in summer, but
year-round. However, summer is when they thrive since these small, dark-brown
insects prefer temperatures of 65-80 degrees and humidity levels of 75-85
percent. But do keep in mind for some areas of the country they are more than
just a "summer" health annoyance.
Your Fido doesn’t have to venture far to pick up fleas; he can
come into contact with them anywhere from your yard to the park, or even by coming
into contact with another dog that is carrying them. Fleas will not only latch
on to a dog, but tend to spread to infest a home, other animals that live
there, and even humans; flea bites are no fun for anyone.
While there are more than 2,000 types of fleas on the planet, the
dog flea thrives specifically on canine blood. Once female fleas taste blood,
they begin to reproduce with eggs that will hatch anywhere from two days to two
weeks later. This period is the trouble zone: the delay is one of the things
that make fleas so difficult to eradicate. Be sure the product you buy will
kill live fleas and eggs or you will be fighting a losing battle.
Signs of Fleas on
Your Dog
If your dog is scratching and itching, particularly around the
base of the tail and along the belly, there are most likely fleas already
attached. A severe infestation can result in your dog scratching so badly he
can draw blood or begin to lose fur. While you may not be able to see the tiny
fleas, you most likely can see dried blood that has already passed through the
flea's system that will be on the skin and around the dog's bed space; eggs can
sometimes also be seen, showing up as tiny white nodules.
Beat Pests to the
Punch
The best approach to this horrific attack on your dog is to
stop the fleas before they start. With these parasites, it is so much easier to
prevent an infestation than it will be to fight one. Ask your veterinarian to
recommend the most effective kind of pest repellent for your dog. For many,
that means administering a monthly dose of a strong-smelling liquid that will
get rid of fleas, ticks and other small pests.
Don’t forget other pets in the home when using a prevention
method. Some flea medications are safe only for dogs and can be dangerous to
other pets, such as cats; this includes felines who are not only around dogs
but also share sleeping arrangements or toys with their canine siblings. Cats
who ingest some dog-only flea medications can become very ill, so be sure to be
specific about other pets when determining the best treatment.
Mosquitoes Love Heat,
Too
Along with the fleas that crave warm weather, expect mosquitoes
to be right by their side. Mosquito bites can lead to the fatal heartworm
disease, so it’s vital to make sure your pet is up-to-date on worming medications
as well as flea prevention. While the highly effective and recommended products
might be a bit costly, they are well worth every penny to keep your dog – and
your household – flea free and healthy year-round.
There’s no other way dogs get heartworms than from an infected
mosquito; there’s no way to tell if a mosquito is infected. That’s why
prevention can be a lifesaver for your pet. The bite of one mosquito infected
with the heartworm larvae will give your dog heartworm disease. The problem: it
takes approximately seven months after a dog is bitten by an infected mosquito
for larvae to become adult heartworms, which then lodge in the heart, lungs,
and surrounding blood vessels and begin reproducing. Adult worms can grow up to
12 inches in length and can live 5 to 7 years.
Heartworm
Complications Can Be Heartbreaking
A dog can have as many as 250 worms in its system. Simply put,
heartworm is a horrible disease that can lead to a dog’s death if left
untreated. Again, go the prevention method instead of the expense and
heartbreak that will certainly occur if your dog contracts this disease.
In warmer climates, these flea and heartworm prevention treatments
are typically year-round, but in cooler areas treatment should begin in early Spring
before the danger season starts. Your veterinarian will be your best source for
current information. Keep your pets safe!
For
pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and
visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.
Written by Dee
Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle @ nine dots branding &
marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).
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