Is your dog facing skin problems? Is it constantly scratching, itching and biting itself? And, you don’t know why this happens? If so, don’t be nervous. You are not alone. Most of the dog owners have same problems. Actually, itchy skins are extremely common in dogs and are often caused by a variety of reasons. The most common reason for itchy skin is – fleas. These tiny parasites are awfully irritating and cause flea allergy dermatitis or skin infections when left untreated.
The bottom line is – Don’t leave your beloved dog to suffer! Your best friend needs your helping hands. To make your dog life flea free and healthier, you should know all about these terrible fleas, their signs and what you can do about them. Consider the following…
About Flea
Fleas are pesky blood-sucking parasites. They are everywhere, mostly found late summer and fall. These nasty little critters feed on your dog and in turn, can trigger many undesirable skin problems. If your dog has been left unprotected, he can reach a simply miserable condition. Fleas are easy for your dog to pick up, as well as also simple to deal with it. Let’s see some signs that indicate your dog may have fleas:
- Severe scratching, licking, itching or biting
- Hair loss during grooming or scratching
- Skin infections
- Flea allergy dermatitis
- Tapeworms
- Flea dirt on dog’s coat
Life Cycle of Fleas
There are four life stages of a flea: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Fleas love warm wet weather to feed and breed. So, the prevalence of flea infestation depends on the environment where you live.
At the first life stage, adult fleas live on the host animal – mostly on dogs and cats. They start to lay eggs within 36-48 hours of its first blood meal. These flea eggs are dry, so they can very easily fall out on home environment.
After 2 to 14 days the larva comes out from the eggs and starts to eat feces of adult flea and other organic debris found in home. The growth of the flea larva depends on the amount of food present and the environmental conditions. It takes about 5 to 18 days or more in some cases. Then it spins a silken cocoon and pupates. Then the six legged adult flea can emerge from the cocoon within 3 to 5 days or stays in the cocoon a year or more if the situation is not right to emit for it.
Once adult fleas are emitted, they use their catapult-loaded hind legs to get around and jump onto passing animals. This way the life cycle will continue and take minimum two weeks or maximum two years to complete one round.
Fleas Prevention and Treatment:
If you find your dog affected with flea infection, do not take any chances and take quick action. Because untreated flea makes your dog intensely uncomfortable by causing irritating allergic reactions, infections, and even lead to anemia from blood loss. As dog owner, you can prevent and treat dog fleas using right flea treatments and pet supplies, including collars, shampoos, oral treatments, sprays, or topical formula.
Topical flea treatments such as Frontline Plus and Advantage are quick and effective. These products can treat existing infestations and provide protection against serious parasitic diseases. Always make sure your dog is on right flea treatment. And read the instructions carefully before use flea product.
As mentioned above, fleas are everywhere. No one can avoid them, but as a responsible dog owner, you can prevent them to affect your dog as well as protect him from flea-related diseases and allergic reactions. After all, your dog also deserves happy and healthy life. Finding the source of health problem may take some time, but if you are good observant of your dog’s health and cautious in treating the problem, you can succeed to give your beloved dog best life.
