Protecting your pup from pests and parasites is a year-round responsibility, but it is especially important during the springtime and summer months. As the weather warms up, plants awaken, flowers are in bloom, and fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes grow in number. These bugs are not just pests because they are small, annoying, and gross, but because they can cause real harm. As a dog owner, it is important to know how to protect your pup from the damage these guys create and what to do if preventions fail.
A Real Pest: Fleas
These tiny terroists have quite the bite, and if you see one, there are possibly thousands more! Fleas are found in shady, humid areas outside. Exactly where your puppy likes to sniff around and find shelter from the sun. They especially like a fur-lined, warm environment that coincidentally provides them with a meal. Fleas are essentially vampires that leave the living with nasty, itchy bites that lead to irritated, flaky skin, scabs, hot spots, and hair loss. Even more unfortunate is that your pup can be allergic to fleas, which can compound the problem and make it a real health scare.
Fleas also carry the larvae of tapeworms and are the most common cause of tapeworms in dogs. If your dog ingests fleas while trying to rid themselves of the nuisances they cause, then they can be exposed to this deadly parasite that will hatch, grow, and live in their intestines. All the more reason to avoid a flea infestation before it begins.
Of course, because these blood thirsty pests grow quickly in number, they are hard to avoid. This is why asking your vet what preventative medications they recommend is so important. There are many options on the market, but it’s best to seek a professional opinion when your dog is young because some products can harm instead of help. Here are some products available to keep your home and backyard safer alongside whatever topical or ingestible medication your vet may recommend.
- Indoor Flea and Tick Spray
- Home and Carpet Flea and Tick Spray
- Natural Flea and Tick Spray
- Flea Trap
- Outdoor Flea and Tick Spray
As with any household product, use as directed, and especially pay attention if a product needs to be diluted before using. Products that are safe when diluted could become a threat if not used as instructed. Also, if you have other pets in the house, some of our recommendations may be harmful. Birds are especially sensitive to household cleaning products.
A Tiny Threat: Ticks
Ticks are another blood-feeding bug that thankfully does not infest on quite as large of scale. They do, however, have a much more invasive bite that potentially packs a much bigger punch. These arachnids can carry diseases such as ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease. The type of tick and the duration of its attachment determine the risk of disease transmission, so it is important to remove the tick as soon as possible. Though preventative measures do help, they don’t guarantee that your pup won’t end up with a tick attached to them. It’s best to have the knowledge and tools necessary to remove them.
The nature of a tick is to attach itself to any available host, so regularly checking your furry friends is important. If you’ve been out for a nature walk or hike, make a habit of inspecting yourself too, before going inside. Pay close attention to areas like the ears, neck, armpits, and groin on both you and your pup. If an attached tick is found, removing it requires care and consistent pressure, so its head doesn’t get left embedded. A pair of regular tweezers can do the job, but we recommend a specifically made tick remover that makes quick work of the tedious process. Often, when removing this parasite from a puppy, the pup is impatient, wiggles, and their fur gets in the way.
Many vets will recommend keeping the tick for a few weeks in case your dog shows any signs of concern. Keep an eye out for a loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, or an inability to walk. All of these are signs of a tick-borne illness. If you have the tick responsible, narrowing down what illness your pup may have contracted will be much easier to pinpoint. Most preventative measures for ticks are combined with flea control medications. Again, we recommend asking your vet for the best options available.
Keeping your home clean with regular vacuuming and washing of your puppy’s bedding and toys will help break up the life cycle of any fleas or ticks that may hitch a ride into your home. Additionally, caring for your yard by removing leaves, regularly mowing the lawn, and removing any overgrown brush or unorganized woodpiles will keep these parasites from getting too comfortable.
Mosquitos and More
We are all familiar with the annoying mosquito and the potential threats it poses. Unfortunately, one of these potential hazards is more serious for our canine counterparts. Mosquitoes are the major contributor to dogs contracting heartworm disease. This potentially fatal parasitic disease targets the heart and lungs, causing severe damage over time.
Again, your veterinarian is your partner in pet health and can lead you in the right direction to prevent heartworm from developing and becoming a health problem. Keep a watch out for coughing, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, these symptoms develop after an infestation has already occurred. So, pairing a good preventative medication alongside pet-safe mosquito repellent and avoiding areas where mosquitoes are known to be plentiful is best for you and your pup!
Ear Mites
Though dogs generally don’t succumb to an ear mite infestation, it’s not impossible. If you see your puppy shaking their head or scratching their ears excessively, you may wonder if they have an infection or allergies. However, ear mites could be the culprit, especially for dogs that spend extensive time outdoors or if you also have cats.
Ear mites are a small parasite that lives in the ear canal and causes extreme itching, pain, and hair loss. Mites don’t pose a major threat to your puppy’s health, but if left untreated can cause hearing loss. Upon closer inspection, you may find that the ears have an awful odor combined with dark, thick discharge. Infections and allergies are known to have similar symptoms, so a vet may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Ear mites are highly contagious, so all animals will need to be treated to disrupt their life cycle. Bedding and toys will also need a thorough regular cleaning until the mites are no longer a problem. Daily cleaning in and around the ears with an ear flush is also necessary until the mites are gone. Most pest and parasite medications will help in preventing an ear mite outbreak, as well as regularly cleaning your pup’s ears.
Giardia
This last parasite can be especially problematic for young dogs. It is generally not life-threatening. Giardia attacks the intestinal tract and causes severe diarrhea, which leads to a lack of nutrient absorption, dehydration, and weight loss. Most healthy dogs with strong immunity will not show any signs of infection. However, if left untreated in a puppy, their undeveloped immune system can become overwhelmed, and the puppy will fail to thrive.
Giardia is highly contagious and found seemingly everywhere. Dogs get Giardia from feces-contaminated water, soil, food, or objects. This parasite, when in the cyst stage, can live for several months before awaking to feed once ingested by a host. This, of course, makes it very difficult to avoid. If you suspect your puppy has contracted Giardia, a vet will prescribe medication that all animals in the house will need to take. A deep clean inside and outside your home will be necessary. As well as immediately disposing of feces.
Though these pests and parasites all pose a threat to your puppy, they are easily overcome with the help of preventative measures, and having the knowledge to know what to look for should they fail. Giving your puppy the best care and their future families the tools to continue that care is a high priority for us here at Woodlot Companions. We hope this information has been educational and helpful in preparing you for pet parenthood!