By: The Coastal Pet Merchandise Employees
Other than the annoying itchiness they trigger, fleas and ticks can carry illnesses which can be harmful for canines. From tapeworms to Lyme Illness, these sicknesses are generally deadly if left untreated. Prevention is the primary protection towards the dangerous results fleas and ticks can have on a canine.
Listed below are a couple of of the illnesses fleas and ticks carry, together with some tips about methods to stop the parasites from attending to canines.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Flea allergy dermatitis is the most typical downside 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, fairly than a illness, flea allergy dermatitis is the most typical pores and skin illness in canines in the US.
Signs of flea allergy dermatitis embody:
- Extreme scratching, biting, or licking
- Small crimson 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 generally bleeding) pores and skin
Flea allergy dermatitis is uncomfortable for canines and may 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 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
- Shifting 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 (typically with full tapeworms or worm segments in it)
- Weight reduction
Canines with tapeworms want deworming medicine.
Anemia
Whereas anemia generally is a critical risk to a canine, the variety of fleas required to trigger it’s important. Most often, your canine would must be infested with fleas to be in danger for anemia. Puppies, nonetheless, are at higher danger. Even a couple 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. If you happen to discover any of those signs, search medical consideration because the pet might have fast intervention.
Lyme Illness
Lyme Illness is the most typical tick-borne sickness to have an effect on canines. In 2021, one in 20 canines examined constructive for the illness, which may trigger neurological points, joint and kidney issues, and, in excessive instances, 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 may additionally want different therapeutic therapies.
Anaplasmosis
Not fairly as widespread as Lyme Illness, Anaplasmosis nonetheless presents a major danger. In accordance with the Companion Animal Parasite Council, one in 50 canines examined constructive 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 couple of days.
Ehrlichiosis
About as widespread as Anaplasmosis, continual Ehrlichiosis could cause anemia, eye and neurological issues, and joint points. In worst instances, Ehrlichiosis could cause a canine’s bone marrow to fail, which is mostly deadly. House owners of German Shepherds and Dobermans must 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 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 will be deadly if left untreated. About 10% of canines with the illness 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 instances)
- Purplish-red spots inside the eyelids and mouth (in extreme instances)
- Altered psychological state (in extreme instances)
- Excessive spinal sensitivity (in extreme instances)
If you happen to stay in an space the place Rocky Mountain Noticed Fever is widespread (largely the Southeast USA) and know a canine was bitten, name a vet instantly. Any delay in antibiotic remedy can result in signs and critical sickness. Canines identified and handled early usually recuperate shortly.
Defending Canines from Fleas and Ticks
A very good offense is the perfect protection in terms of fleas and ticks and canines. Sure, use a flea comb throughout grooming. Sure, verify for ticks after a stroll open air. However preventative measures are the one surefire method to cease these parasites from biting, and probably infecting canines with a life-threatening sickness.
The most effective safety comes from flea and tick preventatives. Out there in a number of varieties, preventatives work by killing off dwelling fleas and ticks, whereas additionally stopping them from reproducing. Every preventative works otherwise. Veterinarians can advocate the suitable selection completely different eventualities.
Preventatives aren’t just for use within the spring and summer season. Fleas, specifically, are a year-round downside. Taking a break when the temperatures go down offers them an opportunity to reinfest pets.
Typically talking, flea collars can be utilized at the side of preventatives. (Besides Seresto flea collars; discuss 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.
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