If you note tiny red-faced insect bite on yourself or your favorite , you may marvel what the perpetrator could be . Flea infestations are more vulgar and serious than one might recollect . And unluckily , both you and your dog-iron can suffer from flea bites .
Flea Infestation Cycle
Without understanding why and how fleas function , pet owners can easy fall victim to the vicious cycle of flea infestations . Most fleas are brought into the house by unprotected pets . Those animals not on monthly flea prevention make ideal host for fleas to course and reproduce on .
But flea do n’t just confine themselves to your positron emission tomography . As soon as they enter your family , they lie eggs in affectionate places , such as your pet ’s bedding , your couch , and even your carpeting . The visible flea you see are just a petite portion of the flea population brewing in your household – adult fleas make upless than 5 percentof the entire infestation .
human are not ideal hosts for flea – they do n’t need to go on you – but you are still susceptible to bites . So , while trying to find your dog or cat to flow on , they may parachute onto your body and bite you before jumping to another likely host .
How to Identify Flea Bites
Because humans do n’t possess fur , a flea wo n’t remain long after bite . So , how do you know if what you ’re seeing is truly flea bite ? It ’s important first to understand what flea bites look like .
On Humans
Flea bites on world resemble a tiny , reddish , raised lash that is typically no bigger than the caput of a pin . commonly , these bites are found in roseola - like clusters on the body where your skin is the warmest . They lean to gravitate to places where your clothes get through your body , such as underneath waistbands or windsock flexible .
vernacular locations include :
On Dogs
Bites on frank expect very alike to the raised red dots on humans , but they can be gainsay to see , given a pet ’s fur . You may acknowledge your dog rub or chafe excessively , bite at their skin , or you might find areas of thin or lacking hair . " Flea dirt " is also a revealing sign of fleas on your pet .
Adverse Health Effects of Fleas
Not only do these parasites present as an itchy annoyance , but they are also a considerable health risk . You and your pet can both experience minus consequences if your household is not protected against flea .
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
The most uncouth untoward health effect of fleas is flea allergy dermatitis ( FAD).Humansand dogs with this circumstance are hypersensitised to the flea ’s saliva and develop a chemical reaction every clip they experience a flea bite . Affected individuals might notice hives , welts , or a far-flung rash near the morsel land site . ChronicFAD in petscan lead to hyperpigmentation , alopecia , or secondary yeast or bacterial infection of the skin . obliteration of the flea is the first footprint in treating flea allergy dermatitis .
Anemia
flea feed on the roue of their victim , and in case of large flea infestations , pets can become anemic from blood loss . Small puppies have a low rakehell volume and are therefore at higher risk forflea anemia . move animals can present failing , pallid gum , spontaneous bruising , and break . Flea anemia can be fatal if not treated with supportive care and possible blood line transfusions .
Plague
Unfortunately , the Bubonic Plague is alive and well in our present day . Fleas can carryplaguebacteria from infected rodents and pass it to pets and human race . If your pet likes to chamfer coney or catch black eye , they ’re at particularly in high spirits jeopardy . After sustaining a flea bite , the infected soul typically develops signal of the illness within a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . symptom include febrility , lethargy , muscle aching , and swollen lymph nodes . It ’s critical to assay aesculapian care for your pet or yourself if any of these sign are noted , and hospitalization with antibiotics is necessary .
Tapeworms
Fleas play as an intermediate emcee fortapewormsby carrying their eggs and larvae . Therefore , the ingestion of an septic flea can lead to cestode infection . This occurs more commonly in darling when they have a flea bite , then masticate at the orbit and accidentally swallow a flea . However , humans are susceptible , as well . There are reportedcases of childrenin close proximity to unprotected dogs and cat becoming infected with cestode . Tapewormscan be treated in both dearie and human being with oral medicine .
How to Treat Flea Bites
What activeness should you take if flea are present in your menage and you have corroborate bites ? There are a few ways to address flea bites on yourself and your pets .
It ’s important to balk the urge to scratch anyflea snack . This will only spark off the release of more histamine from your immune system , perpetuating the itch . You could also introduce bacterium and cause a subaltern infection .
The best way to plow flea on your domestic dog is to prevent next raciness . Be sure to see your veterinarian if your dog is in distress due to the itchiness or has severely irritated skin .
In The Home
Unfortunately , if you do n’t handle your environment for fleas , they ’ll continue to multiply and reinfect your favourite .
Flea Prevention Options for Dogs
There are legion safe and in effect methods to protect your home from fleas . The first footstep is putting your pets on a flea preventive . Some over - the - counter product can incorporate toxic ingredients , so always go with a product recommended and dictate by your veterinary . By hold back flea off your dog , you’re able to keep them from infecting your home .
Topical
Most favourite owners are conversant with topical flea preventions , whereby you go for a small amount of medication to the skin between your dog ’s shoulder blades . The cutis then absorbs the liquid state , which gradually spread across your pet ’s body over a roughly 24 - hour full stop . Most ware pour down adult fleas as well as flea eggs and must be utilise monthly . Some veterinarian - recommend brands includeFrontline , Revolution , Advantage , andVectra .
Oral
If you ’d prefer not to apply anything to your dog , you could elect for an oral preventative medicine . These chews work in much the same manner as topical bar by killing any flea that bite your protect favorite . Some products are incredibly fast - move and defeat flea within 30 second , whereas others take burden in as little as 8 hours . Most are give monthly . Popular brands includeNexGard , Comfortis , CapStar , Simparica , andBravecto .
Flea Collars
Although flea collars have rise a bad rap over the years , veterinarian - approved flea shoe collar are on the market today . TheSerestocollar kills and repels flea endlessly for 8 months . These are pricy at around $ 80 a pop , but they last almost all twelvemonth .
Break the Flea Cycle
When addressing a flea problem , it ’s critical to treat yourself , your pets , and your environment . This is the only fashion to demote the flea infestation cycle . These pesky parasites can multiply apace , correctly under your nose . But by keeping your dog on monthly flea prevention , you’re able to obviate bringing flea into your household and keep your entire family safe .
