What to Do If Your Family Pet Has Fleas
There is nothing quite as irritating as itchy flea bites. Therefore, it’s always better to prevent than trying to treat a flea infestation. If you are not administering anti-flea preventives then stopping a flea infestation is quite difficult. It only takes one female flea or tick to lay eggs on your dog to commence the cycle of infestation.
This is why the importance of using a proper preventative product such as the Frontline Plus cannot be stressed enough. Learn more about the product and how it helps to kill and repel fleas by clicking here. What do you do when you notice a flea on your pet’s fur? There are a few simple steps that can help you deal with fleas in your dog’s coat.
First – A Word of Caution
Fleas are not going to be your only problem if you have a dog that spends time socializing with other pets and playing outdoors. Most people think that flea bites although uncomfortable are generally harmless. This cannot be further from the truth. Fleas spread nasty diseases such as murine typhus and cat scratch disease. Fleas are also carriers of plague and can potentially harm humans and animals.
Ticks, on the other hand, can cause paralysis which can quickly lead your dog towards respiratory failure. Common tick-borne diseases are ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease. Both of these diseases can lead to pet fatality if left untreated.
Frontline Plus, is commonly recommended for preventing both fleas and ticks. It’s very easy to apply and it provides protection against fleas and ticks for one month. In some areas of the country where paralysis ticks are a problem, your vet may prescribe two applications per month to ensure your dog is adequately protected.
Bathing at the First Sign of Fleas
There are a few telltale signs of flea infestation. Excessive scratching or nibbling and general irritated mental state can all be signs of a flea infestation. The first thing you need to do is give your pet a bath using a safe anti-tick and anti-flea shampoo. Once that is done, keep your dog in a clean room while you treat the dog bed, dog house, and the yard. Use flea powder to kill fleas present in carpets and rugs. Once your home is secure, allow your dog to roam free. It’s also important to get your dog’s blood tested for any parasite-borne diseases.
Change Linens If Your Dog Has Access to Beds
Some families allow their dogs to snuggle right beside them on the bed. For most parts, that is perfectly alright. Your dog is your best friend and you should not refrain from giving it a warm spot on the bed.
However, you need to break the bed-sharing protocol if your dog has fleas or ticks. Apart from applying anti-tick and anti-flea products on your dog, use a combination of home, yard, and carpet treatment products. Check your kids for flea bites and treat the bites with antimicrobial and anti-itch medication.
While there are things you can do to treat a flea infestation it makes the most sense to use proper anti-flea products to stop fleas and ticks from ever affecting your pets and your family members.
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