By: The Coastal Pet Merchandise Employees
Except for the annoying itchiness they trigger, fleas and ticks can carry illnesses which might be harmful for canines. From tapeworms to Lyme Illness, these diseases are generally deadly if left untreated. Prevention is the primary protection in opposition to the dangerous results fleas and ticks can have on a canine.
Listed here are a number of of the illnesses fleas and ticks carry, together with some tips about tips on how to stop the parasites from attending to canines.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Flea allergy dermatitis is the commonest drawback related to flea bites. Whereas it may possibly result in excessive itchiness, hair loss, and pores and skin lesions, it’s by no means deadly. An allergic response, reasonably than a illness, flea allergy dermatitis is the commonest pores and skin illness in canines in the US.
Signs of flea allergy dermatitis embody:
- Extreme scratching, biting, or licking
- Small crimson bumps that appear to be pimples
- Hair loss in space(s) the place chew(s) might have occurred
- Pores and skin rash or uncooked, irritated (and generally bleeding) pores and skin
Flea allergy dermatitis is uncomfortable for canines and might result in pores and skin infections. With correct remedy and continuous preventative measures, most canines recuperate simply.
Tapeworms
When a canine swallows a flea whereas chewing at an irritating chew, it may possibly wind up with tapeworm. Tapeworms are parasites that connect themselves to the intestinal wall. In grownup canines, they do little injury. However, in puppies, they are often extra harmful inflicting anemia and stunting their development.
Signs of tapeworms embody:
- Scooting, whereby your canine drags its backside throughout the bottom to ease irritation
- Transferring tapeworm egg sacs, which appear to be grains of white rice or cucumber seeds, round your canine’s bottom
- Vomit with grownup tapeworms in it
- Diarrhea (typically with full tapeworms or worm segments in it)
- Weight reduction
Canines with tapeworms want deworming medicine.
Anemia
Whereas anemia could be a severe risk to a canine, the variety of fleas required to trigger it’s important. Normally, your canine would should be infested with fleas to be in danger for anemia. Puppies, nonetheless, are at larger danger. Even a number of fleas can drain a small pet of an excessive amount of blood.
Signs of anemia embody:
- Lethargy
- White gums
- Weak spot
- Fast respiration
Anemia left untreated can result in demise, particularly in youthful canines. In case you discover any of those signs, search medical consideration because the pet might have quick intervention.
Lyme Illness
Lyme Illness is the commonest tick-borne sickness to have an effect on canines. In 2021, one in 20 dogs tested positive for the illness, which might trigger neurological points, joint and kidney issues, and, in excessive circumstances, demise.
Signs of Lyme Illness embody:
- Lack of urge for food
- Fever
- Fatigue or sluggishness
- Swollen joints, stiffness, and/or lameness
- Swollen lymph nodes
Canines identified with Lyme Illness want antibiotics. Relying on how superior the illness is, canines might also want different therapeutic remedies.
Anaplasmosis
Not fairly as widespread as Lyme Illness, Anaplasmosis nonetheless presents a major danger. In keeping with the Companion Animal Parasite Council, one in 50 dogs tested positive for the illness in 2021.
Anaplasmosis could cause a number of signs however many canines will solely stay sick for a short time. Others might by no means present signs in any respect. Left untreated, nonetheless, the illness can result in respiratory points, organ failure, and demise.
Signs of Anaplasmosis embody:
- Fever
- Lack of urge for food
- Indicators of joint ache
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Coughing or labored respiration
Antibiotics are the one remedy for Anaplasmosis. Most canines present enhancements in a number of days.
Ehrlichiosis
About as widespread as Anaplasmosis, continual Ehrlichiosis could cause anemia, eye and neurological issues, and joint points. In worst circumstances, Ehrlichiosis could cause a canine’s bone marrow to fail, which is mostly deadly. House owners of German Shepherds and Dobermans should be notably vigilant. In these breeds, the illness tends to be extra extreme.
Signs of Ehrlichiosis embody:
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Issue respiration
- Weight reduction
- Sudden bleeding
- Anemia
- Lameness
- Blindness
Some canines recuperate from Ehrlichiosis on their very own. Others will want an antibiotic.
Rocky Mountain Noticed Fever (Tick Fever)
Like the opposite tick-borne illnesses, Rocky Mountain Noticed Fever could be deadly if left untreated. About 10% of dogs with the disease die, whereas 30% expertise extreme central nervous system signs. Late remedy can result in everlasting organ injury.
Signs of Rocky Mountain Noticed Fever embody:
- Fever
- Lack of urge for food
- Joint irritation
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Coughing and/or respiration difficulties
- Indicators of stomach ache
- Swelling of the face or limbs
- Impaired stability (in extreme circumstances)
- Purplish-red spots inside the eyelids and mouth (in extreme circumstances)
- Altered psychological state (in extreme circumstances)
- Excessive spinal sensitivity (in extreme circumstances)
In case you stay in an space the place Rocky Mountain Noticed Fever is widespread (principally the Southeast USA) and know a canine was bitten, name a vet instantly. Any delay in antibiotic remedy can result in signs and severe sickness. Canines identified and handled early typically recuperate shortly.
Defending Canines from Fleas and Ticks
A very good offense is the most effective protection with regards to fleas and ticks and canines. Sure, use a flea comb throughout grooming. Sure, test for ticks after a stroll outside. However preventative measures are the one surefire technique to cease these parasites from biting, and doubtlessly infecting canines with a life-threatening sickness.
The most effective safety comes from flea and tick preventatives. Out there in a number of kinds, preventatives work by killing off dwelling fleas and ticks, whereas additionally stopping them from reproducing. Every preventative works otherwise. Veterinarians can advocate the fitting alternative completely different eventualities.
Preventatives will not be just for use within the spring and summer season. Fleas, particularly, are a year-round drawback. Taking a break when the temperatures go down offers them an opportunity to reinfest pets.
Usually talking, flea collars can be utilized together with preventatives. (Except Seresto flea collars; speak to a vet earlier than combining with some other remedy.) They’re notably useful when going someplace fleas and ticks are plentiful (like a stroll by way of the woods). Select a collar that repels in addition to kills, as this prevents them from biting the canine within the first place.
You may as well use a product like SecureAway Flea Collar Protectors to maintain the flea collar in place.
