When the rain pours down like this, small animals like ticks, fleas, fungi, and mosquitoes are excited because they can breed and lay eggs. But the joy of these animals is the sadness of the dogs because these tiny enemies willSuck our dog's blood for food andIt also brings diseases to dogs. Symptoms range from itchy rashes to death. Have we ever wondered where “dog ticks” and “dog fleas” come from? Especially during the rainy season, ticks and fleas grow better than in other seasons by up to 70%. Hearing that gives me goosebumps. See, this is not something that should be overlooked at all.
There are many diseases in dogs caused by ticks and fleas, such as blood parasites, which are infections in red or white blood cells, carried by ticks and fleas. Some fleas are also carriers of tapeworms, which look like cucumber or rice grains. They may stick near the bottom or be mixed in with feces. There is also an allergy to flea saliva. Dogs that are allergic to flea saliva will have itching, hair loss, red skin, and if the disease is severe, inflammation and infection may follow. If we don't get rid of all the fleas, our dogs will have dermatitis because they are allergic to flea saliva forever.
Tick and flea life cycle
Before knowing how to prevent and get rid of ticks and fleas, we should know the rough life cycle of ticks and fleas first. Starting with ticks, which lay eggs outside the animal's body, female ticks can lay hundreds of eggs at a time. Even if there are only 5 ticks on a dog, they can reproduce into tens of thousands. In addition, eggs in the soil can live for a year. If they encounter suitable humidity, they will hatch.
Not seeing fleas does not mean there are no fleas. We usually do not see fleas because adult 95% live in the environment, in cages, on the ground. If we observe carefully, we will see black or brown flea poop on the dog. However, dogs that like cleanliness may lick their fur until we do not see any flea poop at all. One flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day. The eggs then hatch into larvae and then into a pupa stage with a hard shell. Nothing can destroy this pupa. This pupa stage can last up to 1 year before hatching into an adult. This is the main reason why we never get rid of fleas and ticks for our dogs.
For those who have more than 2 dogs, if we neglect to take care of them in a short period of time, ticks and fleas can spread to every dog very quickly. This is an annoying problem that causes headaches for dog owners. And ticks and fleas bring many diseases to our dogs, such as blood parasites, tapeworms, and allergies to flea saliva. These diseases are silent dangers that can cause death to dogs.
Prevention and elimination of ticks and fleas
Effective prevention and elimination of ticks and fleas is to eliminate ticks and fleas on the dog along with cleaning the cage, floor of the cage and the area where the dog is staying with a commercially available tick and flea repellent. If the dog has a lot of ticks and fleas, we need to use a tick and flea spray to reduce the amount as quickly as possible. If it is a long-haired dog, the fur must be shaved short to allow for a quick cure. This spray will not last long, so other medications must be used together, such as back drops, injections and collars. However, if the dog has skin inflammation, tick and flea sprays or shampoos should not be used because they may cause irritation. A veterinarian should be consulted to examine the symptoms, determine the drug and dosage to use safely and appropriately.
Environmental elimination is also important. We should destroy the breeding grounds by spraying or pouring the chemicals around the cage or dog's habitat. And don't forget to do it carefully, do not let the animals lick or stay in the area while the chemicals are being sprayed or poured.
Every dog owner should eliminate fleas and ticks on their dogs regularly. If you have other pets, you should do it on all animals in the house at the same time. Use quality products that have been tested for safety. Most importantly, check if the products you use have FDA approval or drug registration. Don’t risk your dog’s life with substandard products. Because in addition to not being able to eliminate fleas and ticks, you may lose your beloved dog unexpectedly. And don’t forget to bring your dog to get vaccinated annually to build immunity and maintain good health.
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References
Dr. Oraya Prapanpoj, veterinarian at the Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery and Department of Cardiology, Talingchan Animal Hospital
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