Protect,Treat & Remove Fleas & Ticks From Your Dog

​Warmer weather brings out the ticks and fleas and in some areas of the country our parasite season is longer due to our seasons not being as defined as they used to be. 

Here is some useful information about these parasites, signs that your pet has them and things you can do to prevent your dog from getting ticks and fleas.

Fleas and Your Dog

Fleas are parasites and they live, feed and breed on your dog which is the host animal; but they can also affect humans and it doesn’t take long for them to make themselves at home on your property. Let’s look at the things we can do to prevent these creatures from infesting your home and your pet:

How do fleas show up on dogs in the first place?

​Dogs can easily pick up these parasites from other pets as fleas can jump very easily from one dog to another. However, your dog primarily picks up fleas from the environment that it comes into contact with such as yards, homes parks or areas where other flea-infested pets or other animals have been.

Fleas- signs to look out for: 

• Scratching, itching and biting at skin
• Irritated and red skin
• Small bites or scabs on skin
• Hot spots
• Flea dirt on dog’s coat
• Hair loss

How to protect your dog from fleas.

​Fleas thrive in shady, wet, warm and humid environments. So, keeping this in mind there are several ways you can help protect your dog from getting fleas such as:

• Keep all your rugs and carpets clean by vacuuming them regularly.
• Wash your pets’ bedding regularly. 
• Wash your pet’s clothing with regularity and make sure it’s clean at all times. 
• Keep your lawns and grass short in your yard. 
• The garden areas should be free from debris. 
• Bathe your dog regularly with an organic, anti-flea dog shampoo.
• If you notice that your dog has a severe flea infestation, you should take him to the vet and get him treated; that will help break the flea’s life cycle. 

Ticks and Your Dog

​Ticks are normally found in regions where there is a lot of bushland and native wildlife. These troublesome parasites can cause quite serious problems for your dog such as paralysis. The paralysis tick latches onto the dog and injects toxins into their system which progressively paralyses them normally from the hind legs forward.  

Symptoms of tick paralysis include:​

• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy
• Loss of bark
• Vomiting
• Hind limb weakness or paralysis 
• Heavy breathing as well as elevated heart rate

Some more symptoms of common tick infestations 

• Fever
• Unexplained scabs
• A lot of head shaking
• You feel a small bump on its skin

How does a dog get ticks?

It extremely difficult to prevent your dog from being exposed to ticks; these creatures can latch onto to your dog when he/she goes out with you on walks, or during any other outdoor activities such as hiking etc. Dogs get a tick infestation because they are out in that open environment, walking through the high grass or woods.

Ticks undergo questing (they crawl up onto low shrubs/grass and stay there). When a dog walks by or even when we walk past and brush against these ticks, they quickly dislodge and latch onto us. These parasites can live for well over a year without any food and they will just stay there waiting for a host to latch onto.

The right way to check your dog for ticks

• Check your pet for ticks every single day, especially during spring, summer & autumn. If you live in a region with a warmer climate check your dog for ticks right round the year.
• Brush your fingers firmly through their fur; the pressure should be just enough to feel for small bumps. 
• Make sure to check behind your dog’s ears, under their collar, around their mouth and between their toes, around the tail and head, and under their armpits too. If you feel any bumps, simply pull the fur apart to check what’s there. Ticks that have embedded themselves in your dog will vary in their size; some could be as small as a pinhead while others could be as large as a grape; this depends on how long the tick has been attached to your pet’s body. 
• Ticks are generally either dark brown or black in color 

How to protect your dog from getting ticks

Some of the things you can do to protect your dog from getting ticks include:

• Check your pet for ticks daily, especially if they have spent some time outdoors.
• If you find ticks on your dog, remove them without delay.
• Ask your vet to conduct a tick check during every regular checkup.
• Speak with your veterinarian about any tick-borne diseases in your neighbourhood. 
• Talk with your vet about using specialised tick preventives on your pet.
• Keep your lawns and grass short in your yard
• Make sure your yard is free from debris. 

How to Remove A Tick Safely from Your Dog

Tick removal products are available at your vet. If you find a tick then remove with a Tick Twister or tick key. It is very advisable to get your dog to the vet if you know there has been a tick attached as symptoms may not show themselves for 24-78 hours and by then the damage could be done.

​Tick Twisters are available to purchase at our K9 SWiM Wellness Centre, North Richmond

If you liked this article you may also like these: 

• ​Homemade Natural Flea Repellent for Dogs
• A Natural Home Remedy To Soothe A Dog's Itching