By: The Coastal Pet Merchandise Employees
Other than the annoying itchiness they trigger, fleas and ticks can carry ailments which might be harmful for canines. From tapeworms to Lyme Illness, these sicknesses are typically 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 ailments fleas and ticks carry, together with some tips about methods to forestall the parasites from attending to canines.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Flea allergy dermatitis is the commonest drawback related to flea bites. Whereas it may well result in excessive itchiness, hair loss, and pores and skin lesions, it’s by no means deadly. An allergic response, quite than a illness, flea allergy dermatitis is the commonest pores and skin illness in canines in america.
Signs of flea allergy dermatitis embrace:
- Extreme scratching, biting, or licking
- Small pink bumps that appear to be pimples
- Hair loss in space(s) the place chunk(s) could have occurred
- Pores and skin rash or uncooked, irritated (and typically 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 chunk, it may well 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 embrace:
- Scooting, whereby your canine drags its backside throughout the bottom to ease irritation
- Shifting 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 (usually with full tapeworms or worm segments in it)
- Weight reduction
Canines with tapeworms want deworming medicine.
Anemia
Whereas anemia generally is a severe menace to a canine, the variety of fleas required to trigger it’s important. Generally, your canine would have to be infested with fleas to be in danger for anemia. Puppies, nevertheless, are at larger threat. Even a number of fleas can drain a small pet of an excessive amount of blood.
Signs of anemia embrace:
- Lethargy
- White gums
- Weak spot
- Fast respiration
Anemia left untreated can result in dying, particularly in youthful canines. In the event you discover any of those signs, search medical consideration because the pet might have speedy 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 may trigger neurological points, joint and kidney issues, and, in excessive instances, dying.
Signs of Lyme Illness embrace:
- Lack of urge for food
- Fever
- Fatigue or sluggishness
- Swollen joints, stiffness, and/or lameness
- Swollen lymph nodes
Canines recognized with Lyme Illness want antibiotics. Relying on how superior the illness is, canines may want different therapeutic remedies.
Anaplasmosis
Not fairly as frequent as Lyme Illness, Anaplasmosis nonetheless presents a big threat. In keeping with the Companion Animal Parasite Council, one in 50 dogs tested positive for the illness in 2021.
Anaplasmosis may cause a number of signs however many canines will solely stay sick for a short time. Others could by no means present signs in any respect. Left untreated, nevertheless, the illness can result in respiratory points, organ failure, and dying.
Signs of Anaplasmosis embrace:
- 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 frequent as Anaplasmosis, persistent Ehrlichiosis may cause anemia, eye and neurological issues, and joint points. In worst instances, Ehrlichiosis may cause a canine’s bone marrow to fail, which is mostly deadly. Homeowners of German Shepherds and Dobermans have to be notably vigilant. In these breeds, the illness tends to be extra extreme.
Signs of Ehrlichiosis embrace:
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Problem 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 ailments, Rocky Mountain Noticed Fever may 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 embrace:
- Fever
- Lack of urge for food
- Joint irritation
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Coughing and/or respiration difficulties
- Indicators of belly ache
- Swelling of the face or limbs
- Impaired stability (in extreme instances)
- Purplish-red spots inside the eyelids and mouth (in extreme instances)
- Altered psychological state (in extreme instances)
- Excessive spinal sensitivity (in extreme instances)
In the event you dwell in an space the place Rocky Mountain Noticed Fever is frequent (largely 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 recognized and handled early typically recuperate shortly.
Defending Canines from Fleas and Ticks
An excellent offense is the most effective protection in terms of fleas and ticks and canines. Sure, use a flea comb throughout grooming. Sure, examine for ticks after a stroll open air. 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 in another way. Veterinarians can advocate the precise alternative completely different eventualities.
Preventatives aren’t just for use within the spring and summer time. Fleas, specifically, are a year-round drawback. Taking a break when the temperatures go down provides them an opportunity to reinfest pets.
Typically talking, flea collars can be utilized along with preventatives. (Except Seresto flea collars; speak to a vet earlier than combining with every other remedy.) They’re notably useful when going someplace fleas and ticks are plentiful (like a stroll by the woods). Select a collar that repels in addition to kills, as this prevents them from biting the canine within the first place.
You can too use a product like SecureAway Flea Collar Protectors to maintain the flea collar in place.
