How to identify if your dog has ticks or fleas

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How to identify if your dog has ticks or fleas



Fleas are never fun and can be very uncomfortable for your pet. Once they make a home on your pet, they are quick to cause irritation. If a flea lands on your pet’s skin, it can begin laying eggs on the dogs fur. Ticks are troublesome parasites that can cause a variety of problems for your pet. But spotting these tiny bloodsuckers isn’t always easy. If you believe that your pet has contracted fleas or ticks, it is best to take care of the situation quickly. 

If you have never dealt with a flea/Tick problem, to better help your pet get the care and treatment it needs, here are some signs your pet might have a flea or tick problem.

1. If you find Ticks in Your Home

If you come across a tick on your bedding, carpets, or on the floor, you or your dog probably bought it in the house. Now, Check your dog and do a closer examination. Now that you have examined your dog it time to clean the home with a tick control solution.

2. Fever

A dog may exhibit signs of a mild or high-grade fever, follwed by a tick bite. This may only last for Few days or weeks. Signs of fever include weakness, loss of appetite, shivering and unusual panting.

3. Find Unexplained Scabs

An embedded tick may cause a dog to excessively nip or lick at the bite site. If you notice such behavior, make sure to conduct a closer examination.

4. Excessive Head Shakes

If you notice your dog constantly shaking his head, a tick may be burrowed in his ear canal. Closely examine the area with a flashlight. As ticks like to hide in warm and damp places, it will crawl up to areas like a dog’s ears, under his front legs.

5. Bump on your pooch

If you are feeling a bump on your dog while you’re petting him might be a sign of a tick bite. Don't ignore the bumpy part, examine closely the dog’s fur to get a closer look.

6. Excessive Scratching

If fleas are an issue, dogs will experience excessive itching and chewing of the skin. A fleas bite releases a secretes saliva that causes an itching sensation on the skin, so the dog starts scratching/ chewing the affected area.

7. Find a Flea Dirt

A Flea “dirt” is flea waste and blood from biting and sucking it out of the exposed pet. If you start seeing peppered looking spots on your pet, this could very well be flea dirt that is a very clear sign your dog has fleas.

The best way to determine this is to grab a wet paper towel and grab the small clumps. If it is flea dirt, it will turn a dark reddish colour once it is wet.

Our Recommendations

We recommend a quality flea and tick spot treatment that not only effectively kills but prevents fleas from coming back.

Regularly wash your pet's bedding, blanket and other washable items in the hottest water possible

Treat your home with an insect growth regulator spray. Use your handy vacuum cleaner to suck fleas, eggs, and larvae out of your carpet and furniture. Make us of the flea collar inside the vacuum cleaner to ensure that any fleas that do get sucked in die immediately

Make use of a tick prevention collar.

Keep your garden or yard neat.

Periodically hang door mats, rugs and other non-washable items in direct sunlight (atleast 15 days once).

NOTE:

It is very important not to use products on your cat that are intended for dogs.

Check the laundering instructions on the pet products to make sure that washing in water won't harm the item.



The information was compiled from various sources.

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