Fleas are insects that fall into the category of external parasites and that feed on the blood of mammals , in this case they suck your dog’s blood. There is not a single type of flea, but about 1,900 species are cataloged. Pulex irritans is the common flea, Ctenocephalides canis that of the dog and Ctenocephalides felis that of the cat (they usually specialize in specific hosts).
These external parasites can transmit diseases to dogs such as tapeworms and tapeworms as well as produce an allergic reaction. They can cause severe anemia in puppies and small dogs.
In the same way that it happens with ticks, the most obvious signs of the presence of fleas in dogs is the intense itching that causes the animal to scratch vigorously and without rest and even to bite itself. You may also have redness or a rash on your skin.
It is not very difficult to detect fleas on dogs. They are brown, measure about 2.5 millimeters and run through the fur of the animal at a devilish speed . They do not have wings but they do have the ability to jump great distances. In a dog infested with fleas you will also find a kind of white (flea eggs) and black (flea feces) grains . The acid test to ensure the presence of these insects is to comb the dog with a flea comb and put a sheet of paper underneath. If you do have fleas, they will fall on the paper along with the feces that, when you pour water on them, will turn reddish (from the blood they have ingested). When you pass the flea comb to it, you should then submerge it in a bowl of soapy water to drown out the parasites.
Our recommendation is that you consult your veterinarian about the most suitable antiparasitic and flea products for your dog. Faced with a flea infestation in dogs, it is much easier to prevent than to cure and it is that ending a plague is very laborious, but not impossible.
If your dog has fleas, chances are your house will too. Keep in mind that fleas lay eggs on top of the animal and these can fall to the ground , end up in its bed and areas where it spends more time, very soft inside a carpet, under furniture, in upholstery, etc.
To eliminate fleas that may be at home as well as avoid a new infestation of your animal, we recommend carrying out this series of measures:
– Bathe the dog with a flea shampoo .
– Put the dog’s clothes and belongings (toys, stuffed animals, harness …) in the washing machine and wash them at maximum temperature . It also thoroughly cleans its feeder and drinker.
– Vacuum well all the corners of your house , including the sofa, mattresses, door frames … and, in short, all the places where a flea can sneak. If the vacuum cleaner comes with a bag, throw it away immediately, as it will be loaded with insects and eggs. If it does not work with a bag, empty it as soon as you finish.
– Get an insecticide against fleas and put it inside the house. It is very important that you read the instructions first to know what protection measures you should take to prevent both the dog and the people who live at home from getting intoxicated : that all the occupants are out of the room while you put it in, use a mask that protects you from accidentally inhaling, ventilating when the product takes effect … and other indications that should appear on the label. It affects those areas where your pet is usually and do not forget to apply on furniture, windows, cushions and other textiles (carpets, curtains, rugs, etc.) as well as in all the grooves you find. You should also apply the insecticide in the garden, if you have one, and in areas near your house where fleas could lodge, such as bushes, bushes, trees, etc.
– If with all this you cannot get rid of the flea infestation, you can always contact a company specialized in pest control .
