5 Signs Your Dog May Have Fleas
The presence of ticks and fleas on your pet can result in excessive scratching, hair loss, and irritated skin. Below, we will explore the clinical signs of flea allergies in dogs and some essential steps to identify and treat them effectively.
Flea-Related Skin Allergies
Dogs can be allergic to fleas leading to various skin issues. Here are a few signs that may correlate to your pet having a skin infection secondary to the presence of fleas.
- Itchiness, Inflammation, and Redness in the dorsolumbar area: Dogs with flea allergies may experience intense itching, skin irritation, and redness near the lower back and butt region. This discomfort can cause them to scratch excessively or bite at affected areas.
- Hair Loss: Hair loss is often seen near the tail region, as dogs tend to bite and scratch this area due to its accessibility. The constant irritation and scratching can lead to hair loss.
- Black Specks: If you notice tiny, black specks on your dog’s skin or fur, it could possibly indicate flea dirt. Flea dirt is flea waste mixed with blood meal from your pet. It can be further identified by taking a few specks of black dandruff from your pet onto a paper towel and placing 2-3 drops of rubbing alcohol on it. If it’s flea dirt, the dandruff will dissolve and turn a red-to-brown color.
- Fleas: You might see active fleas crawling on your pet’s skin or fur. These tiny parasites are often visible to the naked eye.
- Tapeworms: Tapeworms are an intestinal parasite passed on by the pet engulfing an infected flea containing L3-stage larva. They are further identified by their proglottids which appear as “rice-grain” appearance in the feces.
Treating a Tick or Flea Outbreak
If your dog is displaying any or all of the clinical signs above, acting quickly is essential.
Some tick and flea treatment options are:
- Flea Bomb: You will need to sterilize your environment by using a flea bomb in your home to eliminate any active fleas that may be in your carpet, furniture, or clothes
- Flea Bath: Your dog may need a flea bath to remove all ticks and fleas from their fur and skin.
- Capstar Oral Flea Treatment: This can be administered the first day you see any fleas on your dog. This medication will kill the active fleas on your pet’s body within 24 hours of administration.
- An Oral Prevention Medication: While the treatments above will eliminate hatched fleas, the oral prevention medication will target fleas still in egg form and aid in preventing reinfestation of adult fleas.
Here are some next steps:
- Regular Checks: Examine your dog’s skin and fur regularly, paying particular attention to the lower back area and tail region. Act immediately if you spot any signs of fleas or flea dirt.
- Flea/tick Prevention: Prevention is key to avoiding flea-related skin allergies. Use oral or topical flea and tick prevention products as your veterinarian recommends. You want to give your dog an oral or topical tick and flea treatment that best suits you and your pet’s lifestyle. For longer-active coverage, you may purchase a Seresto collar from your local pet store or pharmacy as this provides protection against fleas/ticks for up to 8 months!
- Veterinary consultation: If your dog continues to suffer from skin allergies despite preventive measures. Contact your veterinarian for further evaluation and alternative treatment options.
Early identification and treatment of flea allergies can significantly affect your pet’s well-being. Taking proactive steps and working closely with your veterinarian can help your pet live a healthier, happier, itch-free life.
