Preventing and Treating Ticks and Fleas for Dogs
To keep our dogs healthy and safe, we need to be on the lookout for pests like fleas and ticks, which can cause harm and infect dogs with various diseases. Lucky for you, we have prepared a complete guide to help in both preventing and treating dogs from these pesky insects:
Preventing Your Dog From Ticks and Fleas
Ensure to have a regular check on your dog’s fur and body for the presence of ticks and fleas. The tiny creatures often attach themselves to dogs’ skin, where they can stay for days on end. Ticks don’t let go until they have filled themselves with blood from your dog’s body. A few signs can point to ticks possibly being present and warranting a check-up:
- Your dog is exhibiting red, swollen, or inflamed skin in any region.
- Your dog is constantly chewing or biting a portion of its body; it may be due to irritation provided by having ticks on them.
- Your dog becomes anemic or shows signs of weakness and paralysis; this may be caused by excessive blood loss due to the bites of ticks.
These are scary experiences to have to go through. But taking the proper measures, you can make sure that ticks will not harm your pet:
- If you have a garden, backyard, or lawn, make sure to keep the grass short and trim it frequently as needed so that the presence of ticks is reduced and the chances of your dog attracting ticks from your outdoors are decreased.
- Consult your dog’s vet to find the most suitable flea and tick prevention products. These products can go a long way towards ensuring that your pet is protected from any diseases or adverse effects resulting from fleas and ticks.
- Keep your home as dry as possible, and avoid using carpets in your home as they are prone to attracting fleas.
Treating Dogs For Ticks and Fleas
Despite maintaining precautions, there is still a chance your pet may be infested with ticks or fleas. In such situations, it is important not to panic. Instead, follow the steps detailed below to remove these little, blood-sucking creatures from your dog.
- Grab tweezers to begin the process of removing the tick. Make sure to gently grasp the tick or flea via the tweezers from its belly and back. The purpose is to firmly get a hold of the tick but not to crush it by applying too much pressure as that would release any toxins directly in your dog’s open wound, which can lead to infections and diseases.
- After grabbing the tick or flea, pull it straight off of your dog’s body. Do not twist or move the tweezers too much so that the whole tick comes off in one move. The head and body may not come off together. In such cases, it is best not to try to squeeze them out if the head is too embedded into your pet’s skin to prevent further harm to your pet. The dog’s immune system will dispose of the organic debris while the wound heals, so there is no need to worry.
- After removing the tick or flea, clean your dog’s wounds with an antiseptic. Iodine or Neosporin are commonly recommended; however, it is best to consult a vet to find the best one for your dog.
- Check for signs of infection or visit an animal hospital to diagnose and treat any infection. It is advisable to go to a veterinary clinic regardless as some conditions may not be apparent, and they can better guide and suggest tests to identify potential diseases.
Fleas and ticks can be deadly for your dogs. As such, you must do everything you can to prevent and treat fleas and ticks for your furry friend. If you live in Ontario, visit our veterinary clinic in New Hamburg to get a professional health examination or tick and flea treatment for your dog.
