Summer is here and so are Fleas and Ticks!
Fleas and ticks are nasty little parasites that live off your precious puppy's blood. Their biting causes little Fido or Fifi to suffer extreme itching and discomfort, and they have the potential to spread serious diseases such as
Lyme Disease
and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Depending on the climate you live in, the season for fleas and ticks may last 3 or 4 months, or all year.
Prevention is definitely better than cure, and it's a really good idea to get your puppy started on a regular course of flea and tick preventative as soon as they're 8 to 10 weeks old.
Fleas
Although there are thousands of different species of flea, the one that causes most of the trouble for dogs and cats is the common cat flea.
Believe it or not, a single flea can bite as many as 400 times a day, and lay up to 50 eggs in the same time frame!If your pupppy is one of the many dogs that is allergic to flea saliva, all this biting can result in flea allergy dermatitis. This is a condition that causes excessive scratching, irritated skin and hairloss. Not nice!
Fleas are tiny, dark-colored creatures that crawl through your puppy's fur, close to the skin. They're usually most easy to spot around the ears, face and on the tummy.
If you're not sure whether or not little Fifi has fleas, stand her on white, or light colored sheet and comb her carefully with a flea comb (you can find these at any good petstore). Small black flecks that fall onto the sheet and turn red when wetted down are flea-dirt. If she's got a lot of fleas, they'll probably fall (or jump) off too.
Whether your little furbaby has already managed to become home to a flea colony, or if you just want to make sure that doesn't happen, it's important to start her on a good, effective preventative for fleas and ticks. There are many options for repelling or killing fleas and ticks, including shampoos, flea-collars, powders, sprays and topical liquids. Some kill only live fleas, some kill fleas and ticks, and some even sterilize the female flea to prevent further generations.
The most quick-acting, effective and long-lasting choice to safely kill fleas, or fleas and ticks, is to use one of the popular topical medications such as Advantage or Frontline plus. Protect your pet from the upcoming flea & tick season by ordering Frontline for Dogs today!
  If your poor little pup has been the host to a bunch of fleas it's also a good idea to treat her bedding, the carpet and any soft furnishings she's been in contact with.
You can buy special sprays or use one of the popular 'bombs' ( a pressurized can of chemicals that spell D-E-A-T-H to fleas) which are very effective.
By treating both your puppy and your environment you stand the best chance of being free of fleas and ticks in a very short period of time.
Ticks
Ticks are small, brown or black creatures with teardrop-shaped bodies and 8 legs (they're related to spiders - another critter that makes you go "yuk"!). The most common ticks in the USA are the brown dog tick and the American dog tick. The Deer tick (the variety most likely to carry and transmit Lyme Disease) and the Western Black-legged tick can also be found.
Ticks vary in size from tiny, pin-head critters to much larger one - sometimes as large as a kernel of corn, especially when they're full of your poor puppy's blood!
The best, most effective and safest way to prevent or kill ticks is to use a medication specifically designed to kill fleas and ticks. The best and most popular product is Frontline Plus.
However, if Fifi has already picked up a tick and is not yet on any preventative medications you need to remove it as quickly as possible. If you remove a tick within 24 hours of it biting your puppy you can really reduce the chances of it being able to transmit any disease).
How to remove a tick Firstly, never touch a tick with your bare hands as Lyme Disease can be transmitted through your skin. Put on rubber/latex gloves first.
Get a pair of tweezers or forceps and grasp the tick's head firmly, as close to your pup's skin as possible. Pull slowly but firmly, without squeezing.Once the whole tick has been removed, use a disinfectant or rubbing alcohol to clean the area (and your gloves/tweezers etc. too), then apply a little anti-biotic ointment to the area of the bite. Don't forget to make sure you kill the tick before disposing of it or you may see it again!
Once you've done all that, be sure to get Fifi on a regular schedule of flea and tick medication so you don't have to do the same thing all over again.
Safety tips for use of medication to kill fleas and ticks These medications are very effective and very safe when used correctly. However, as with any kind of chemical or drug, it's important to be careful and follow all the directions and guidelines.
- Make sure your puppy is over the minimum recommended age for use. This is usually 8 to 10 weeks old, but double-check the manufacturers instructions to be sure
- Store well away from children, pets and food supplies or housing
- Follow directions on the packet exactly. Do not use a product meant for dogs on cats, or vice-versa and pay close attention to the weight guidlines
- Always be sure to wash your hands after applying the product, and avoid it coming into contact with your eyes or skin
- If your puppy shows any signs of illness after being treated consult your veterinarian at once. Although these medications to kill fleas and ticks are very safe when used correctly, it's always better to be safe than sorry
If you'd prefer to try a natural flea treatment, you can find out more (and check out a whole host of other natural pet foods, treats, supplements etc.) by clicking on the button to the left. Or you can go to our
Natural Dog Food and Products Page
to find out more about this natural option.
If you want to know more about common, easily transmitted diseases that could affect your puppy, check out our
Dog Illnesses
page. You'll find tons of information and advice on methods of transmission, symptoms and treatment of several major threats to your puppy's health.
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