By: The Coastal Pet Merchandise Workers
Except for the annoying itchiness they trigger, fleas and ticks can carry illnesses which are harmful for canine. From tapeworms to Lyme Illness, these diseases are typically deadly if left untreated. Prevention is the primary protection towards the dangerous results fleas and ticks can have on a canine.
Listed here are just a few of the illnesses fleas and ticks carry, together with some tips about find out how to stop the parasites from attending to canine.
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 canine in the USA.
Signs of flea allergy dermatitis embody:
- Extreme scratching, biting, or licking
- Small purple bumps that seem like pimples
- Hair loss in space(s) the place chunk(s) might have occurred
- Pores and skin rash or uncooked, irritated (and typically bleeding) pores and skin
Flea allergy dermatitis is uncomfortable for canine and might result in pores and skin infections. With correct therapy and continuous preventative measures, most canine 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 canine, they do little injury. However, in puppies, they are often extra harmful inflicting anemia and stunting their progress.
Signs of tapeworms embody:
- Scooting, whereby your canine drags its backside throughout the bottom to ease irritation
- Transferring tapeworm egg sacs, which seem like 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 critical menace to a canine, the variety of fleas required to trigger it’s vital. Typically, your canine would should be infested with fleas to be in danger for anemia. Puppies, nonetheless, are at larger threat. Even just a few fleas can drain a small pet of an excessive amount of blood.
Signs of anemia embody:
- Lethargy
- White gums
- Weak spot
- Speedy respiration
Anemia left untreated can result in dying, particularly in youthful canine. Should you discover any of those signs, search medical consideration because the pet may have fast intervention.
Lyme Illness
Lyme Illness is the commonest tick-borne sickness to have an effect on canine. In 2021, one in 20 canine examined optimistic for the illness, which may trigger neurological points, joint and kidney issues, and, in excessive circumstances, dying.
Signs of Lyme Illness embody:
- 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, canine can also want different therapeutic remedies.
Anaplasmosis
Not fairly as widespread as Lyme Illness, Anaplasmosis nonetheless presents a major threat. Based on the Companion Animal Parasite Council, one in 50 canine examined optimistic for the illness in 2021.
Anaplasmosis may cause a number of signs however many canine 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 dying.
Signs of Anaplasmosis embody:
- Fever
- Lack of urge for food
- Indicators of joint ache
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Coughing or labored respiration
Antibiotics are the one therapy for Anaplasmosis. Most canine present enhancements in just a few days.
Ehrlichiosis
About as widespread as Anaplasmosis, power Ehrlichiosis may cause anemia, eye and neurological issues, and joint points. In worst circumstances, Ehrlichiosis may cause a canine’s bone marrow to fail, which is mostly deadly. Homeowners 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
- Problem respiration
- Weight reduction
- Sudden bleeding
- Anemia
- Lameness
- Blindness
Some canine 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 may be deadly if left untreated. About 10% of canine with the illness die, whereas 30% expertise extreme central nervous system signs. Late therapy 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 within the eyelids and mouth (in extreme circumstances)
- Altered psychological state (in extreme circumstances)
- Excessive spinal sensitivity (in extreme circumstances)
Should 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 therapy can result in signs and critical sickness. Canines recognized and handled early typically recuperate shortly.
Defending Canines from Fleas and Ticks
offense is the very best protection with regards to fleas and ticks and canine. Sure, use a flea comb throughout grooming. Sure, test for ticks after a stroll outdoor. However preventative measures are the one surefire option to cease these parasites from biting, and doubtlessly infecting canine with a life-threatening sickness.
One of the best safety comes from flea and tick preventatives. Obtainable in a number of varieties, preventatives work by killing off dwelling fleas and ticks, whereas additionally stopping them from reproducing. Every preventative works in another way. Veterinarians can suggest the appropriate selection completely different situations.
Preventatives are usually not just for use within the spring and summer time. Fleas, particularly, 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 side preventatives. (Besides Seresto flea collars; speak to a vet earlier than combining with some other therapy.) They’re notably useful when going someplace fleas and ticks are ample (like a stroll via 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 even use a product like SecureAway Flea Collar Protectors to maintain the flea collar in place.
