Ticks, fleas, and mites are not just an irritating nuisance; they present a serious health risk for people and pets. Often, a tick or flea infestation can go unnoticed by the owners. Flea feces, however, are quite a visible sign. Tiny specks on the fur of your dog should tell you that he is flea-infested. Flea bites can cause itching, allergic reactions, and hair loss in your pet.

Diseases borne by ticks and fleas can be difficult and expensive to treat and therefore the best option is to prevent the occurrence of ticks and fleas and also to remove them fast if you see any signs of a tick or flea being present on the body of your pet. Regular topical treatment especially if you visit a location from where your dog can pick up ticks and fleas is essential. Take your vet’s recommendation into consideration to find out topical applications best suited to your dog. Factors to consider include the animal’s age, breed, the parasite’s adaptability to medicine, and past treatment details. You may also wish to consider a tick collar.

Do not waste time with methods like applying alcohol or petroleum jelly on your pet; you could damage its fur. Use a suitable tool to manually pick off the ticks. Keep a bowl of isopropyl alcohol close by and finish off the parasites by dipping them into it. Dab a mild disinfectant on the areas from where the ticks have been removed.

Unlike ticks, mites cannot be detected by the naked eye. Yet they can cause severe allergies and hair loss in your pet. Itches can also develop due to allergies from food or a liver problem. Such itches also lead to hair loss or there may be hair loss without any itching. Veterinary prescriptions include oatmeal baths, antihistamines, supplements, etc.

Popularity: 13% [?]