Fleas and ticks often seem to disappear when winter arrives, which is why many pet owners believe that they are in the clear and no longer need to treat their animals for fleas and ticks. However, that is not always the case. Fleas can often survive the winter by living inside in the carpet or in the pet bedding that hasn't been washed. They can also survive in climates that don't get extremely cold.
Therefore, it is important to continue to treat your dog year round for fleas and ticks to prevent re-infestations. It is common for fleas to bite and cause skin allergies in your dog. The flea bite induces an allergic reaction in the skin around the area affected and then can start to look like a hairless area from your dog continuously scratching.
With a severe flea infestation, the fleas can cause dermatitis along with the allergic reaction in your dog's skin. Your dog will also experience severe discomfort and will need to be treated immediately. There are many treatments available such as collars, sprays, shampoos, dips and spot treatments.
It's important to realize that if your dog's infected with fleas, then so is the area that your dog has been living in. It is a given that your carpet will be infested and so will your dog's bedding. Be sure when you pick a product to treat these areas, that it not only treats the live fleas but the flea eggs as well.
Along with the traditional treatments above, many vets
are now recommending ivermectin as the preferred treatment to dog owners. Ivermectin is available as an injection or oral form. You can also apply it as an external application as well. This is a highly effective treatment.
If you are struggling with an extreme infestation, I would suggest taking them into your vet office for a flea dip also. This is a great way to get a handle on the situation and then begin treating your environment and begin preventative treatments with your dog.
Ticks can potentially pose a more serious problem due to diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and/or Lyme Disease can be contracted by a tick. If you find a tick on your dog, you should use tweezers to remove it and make sure you remove it carefully. If you are unsure how to remove a tick properly, be sure to visit with your vet first to learn the proper method.
With the proper preventative methods, your dog will stay generally free and safe from fleas and ticks. If you notice that your flea and tick program begins to be less effective for your dog, you should consult your vet to make changes. Fleas and ticks can become resistant to products over time, so it may require you to switch products in your treatment program.
The primary goal is to keep your dog well groomed and on an effective treatment program, as well as, making sure their bedding and living area is kept clean. These things will help alleviate any serious infestations.
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