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10. Canine Flea Infestations-A Familiar Burden for Dogs and Their Owners

Just How Harmful Are Fleas?

Fleas are one of the most common and most bothersome parasitic infestations that can affect a dog (not to mention their owners).

Their bites inflict pain and itching, often causing a dog to do himself even greater harm by scratching affected areas until they are raw.

As fleas are jumping insects, they can jump from one part of your dog's coat to another very quickly in order to feed at various locations.

One flea can bite several times all over your pet's body in a matter of minutes.

While most dogs will succumb to a few fleas from time to time, serious infestations call for serious treatment. These treatments must be administered by a veterinarian in most cases.

If you are concerned that your dog's flea problem is more than you can handle on your own, look for the following symptoms:

• constant scratching
• whimpering when scratching
• rolling into the carpet
• bleeding
• raw skin

Where Can I Find Fleas on My Dog?

Fleas are small, black insects that are best seen when in groups. They are usually jumping at a constant rate, making them easily transferable to humans and other animals, as well as home furnishings.

While identifying adult fleas on a light colored dog is a relatively simple task, finding these tiny trouble makers on a dog that has a dark coat can be a bit more difficult. For best results in either case, gently pull apart your pet's hair at several different locations and examine the skin.

You can also identify a flea problem by searching for flea feces, commonly referred to as “flea dirt.” Flea dirt is similar in color and texture to ground dirt, however it is usually much darker. What makes the black dirt more detectable than fleas themselves is the fact that they usually come in rough patches that can be felt on a dog's fur.

If you feel a rough patch on your dog, examine it immediately. Flea dirt will bind the hairs of one area together in a clump, usually in relatively large amounts (about the size of your fingertip).

You can be sure that you are looking at flea feces by running warm water over the area for a few moments. The undigested blood in the feces will turn red and run down the fur when exposed to warm running water. The most common flea infestation sites are:

• behind the ears
• between the legs and undercarriage
• around the anal area and tail

Common Flea Treatment Problems

Most dog owners fight a constant battle with fleas on their pets, in their homes, and occasionally on themselves. However, most are unaware that owning a dog does not have to mean dealing with these pests on a regular basis.

Understanding the life cycle of a flea is essential to fighting the battle. A flea's life cycle follows the pattern of:

• egg
• larvae
• pupae
• adult

Killing the fleas on a dog does not take care of the eggs that have been distributed throughout your home. During the adult stage, fleas will deposit eggs onto a host. The eggs will eventually fall off of their host, where they can remain unnoticed in a home or yard until they are ready to hatch.

They then undergo the larvae stage, in which they will form cocoons (pupae stage) until they are ready to attach to a host as adults.

Therefore, proper treatment for a flea infestation should include intense cleaning of one's home as well as lawn treatments.

Proper Flea Removal Treatment

To remove fleas from your dog, purchase a flea comb from your local pet store or veterinarian's office. These combs have teeth that are extremely close together, making them effective flea trapping tools. When using a flea comb, it is best to simply brush your dog's entire coat.

Focusing on specific fleas is usually ineffective and time consuming. Dip the comb into warm, soapy water after any contact with fleas or flea dirt to ensure proper disposal. After most of the fleas have been removed, use a flea treatment shampoo to rid your dog of any remaining pests.

Read labeling carefully, as most flea shampoos must be left on for several minutes before rinsing. After the recommended time between treatments has gone by, you can continue preventative care with external treatments that can be applied to a dog's dry fur.

To rid your household of fleas, vacuum all carpets and mop all floors vigorously, paying special attention to corners and thickly carpeted areas. Steam cleaning or shampooing your carpet is also recommended. Next, vacuum all upholstery, making sure to cover the backsides of each piece.

Wash any removable cushion covers, bedding, and linens in warm, soapy water and dry in an electric dryer rather than allowing these items to air dry. (the heat helps to ensure that all pests have been disposed of). Check labels to make sure that each fabric is washer and dryer safe, and hand wash if they are not.

Next, use a flea spray or a flea bombing treatment in rooms that may have been affected by the infestation. For your lawn, which is likely to carry quite a few fleas, use a specially formulated flea killer that is safe for pets and humans alike.

To ensure that fleas do not make a regular appearance in your pet's life, make fur, home, and lawn flea treatments an ongoing habit.