How to remove fleas from a dog: parasite remedies

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Everyone who has a dog in the house knows what fleas are. There are several types of such parasites: canine, feline, human and sucking. Fleas in dogs look like small insects with a smooth, flattened body and bristly, long legs that point backwards. Their size can reach 4 millimeters. The body of the parasite is protected by a kind of shell, so it is quite difficult for a person to crush it. Fleas reproduce by laying larvae. The vital activity of parasites can last up to three years. Insects, due to their structure, can easily move along the animal's coat. They are able to easily travel long distances and quickly move to another dog.

Signs of parasites

By biting the skin of an animal, a flea injects its saliva into the wound, resulting in the following reactions:

• itching, redness and swelling appear at the bite site;
• visually you can see the white larvae of parasites and their black excrement;
• dogscratching the affected area, which can lead to dermatitis and other skin diseases;
• animal exposed to viral disease and worms;
• wool starts to fall out;
• when harmful bacteria enter the body, acute allergic reactions can occur;
• dog refuses to eat and sleeps poorly;
• small puppies often develop anemia, which can result in the death of the animal.

Determining the presence of insects on the coat of an animal is quite easy. As a rule, an infected dog will constantly scratch and try to catch the parasite with his teeth. You can quickly diagnose the disease by examining the dog's armpits, ears and croup. Also, fleas can jump out of the wool while bathing the animal, trying to move to a drier place. Every owner needs to know how to remove fleas from a dog. Otherwise, the problem may be complicated by fever and gastrointestinal upset.

How to remove fleas from a dog

Modern veterinary medicine offers various ways to deal with such parasites. The main thing is to remember that treatment should be carried out comprehensively and immediately. If, nevertheless, fleas were found in the dog, it is urgent to carry out the following manipulations:

• buy your pet first, then thoroughly comb dead parasites;
• you can use various folk remedies, which we will talk about a little later;
• if the above procedures are nothelped, use one of the anti-flea drugs;
• wash and boil the bedding your pet sleeps on;
• be sure to clean the premises.

Please note that bathing is the ideal method for reducing the number of fleas in a dog, as well as accurately determining the degree of infestation. While bathing, you should carefully lather your pet for 10 minutes with tar or laundry soap. Then it is necessary to rinse the treated wool well with running water. As a result, most of the parasites will be washed away. When the hair is dry, you need to comb out the dead insects. It is recommended to rub the body of the animal with tea tree oil or eucalyptus extract, as fleas cannot tolerate such strong odors. If your dog lives on the street, then spruce sawdust, as well as sagebrush leaves, can be put in his booth instead of bedding.

Types of anti-flea products

Modern preparations have a complex effect, protecting the animal from both fleas and other blood-sucking parasites. The most effective include the following tools:

Flea shampoo for dogs. Such drugs are used in order to rid the animal of parasites, eliminate the rash and normalize the condition of the coat. In addition, the shampoo relieves itching and has an anti-allergic effect. These products may contain insecticides, as well as natural oils and herbs. Insecticidal shampoos kill fleas quickly and efficiently, but they are toxic and cancause reactions such as redness, excessive salivation, vomiting, and even allergies. Natural products heal wounds, make hair silky and are used as a preventive measure. It is necessary to treat the animal's hair with the product and leave for 5 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. The procedure is complemented by combing out parasites with a special comb. However, shampoos do not always completely eliminate fleas, so it is recommended to combine them with antiparasitic collars, sprays and drops

• Drops from fleas for dogs. Such drugs are the most effective in the fight against parasites. In their composition, you can find such components: fipronil, selamectin, permethrin. Drops have a complex effect. A liquid substance should be applied to the area of \u200b\u200bthe withers of the animal, so the dog cannot lick it off. The active substance quickly penetrates through the skin into the bloodstream, as a result of which the insects disappear after a couple of such procedures. The drug is valid for 4 weeks, but remember that it is forbidden to use it for puppies, as well as pregnant and lactating animals.
• Special sprays will help to remove fleas from a dog at home. Such drugs are sprayed on the pet's coat, as a result of which the parasites die. However, it is worth making sure that the product does not get into the dog's eyes, or the animal does not lick it off. Spraying should be carried out only with rubber gloves and in a ventilated area. After such treatment, the pet may experience malaise, dermatitis, nervousness, baldness, vomiting, and even difficulty breathing, thereforeit's best to check with your veterinarian first.
• Flea collar for dogs. This is the most common pest control and prevention tool. The product is valid for 4 months, then it will need to be replaced with a new one. The active substance that the collar is impregnated with is absorbed into the surface of the skin and begins to perform its function. Such a device is very convenient to use: it is easily adjusted to the diameter of the dog's neck and put on quickly. However, parasitic collars should not be used for puppies, lactating and pregnant animals, as well as pets with nervous and kidney diseases. Wearing such a product in some cases can provoke the development of dermatitis, allergies, poisoning, vomiting and even shock in a dog.
• Another flea remedy for dogs is antiparasitic chewable tablets. Such drugs are not in great demand. They need to be added to the feed, but not every animal will be delighted with this. In no case should the dosage be exceeded, otherwise the substance may adversely affect the gastrointestinal tract and nervous system, as well as cause allergies.

Rules for the use of anti-flea products

Veterinary pharmacies offer a large selection of different drugs, each of which has its own characteristics of use. It is also worth considering that any drug has not only indications, but also contraindications. All this is written in the instructions for use, which is recommended to carefully study. Since such drugs can provoke adverse reactions, veterinarians strongly advise monitoringhow your pet feels after treatment. If for three days the dog did not have drowsiness, diarrhea and vomiting, then the drug was absorbed by the body. Otherwise, your dog will need professional help.

The question of how to remove fleas from a domestic dog worries many four-legged owners. Please note that your dog may have a congenital intolerance to this or that drug, so it is better to conduct a small test before using it. It is performed simply: put a drop of the substance on the withers of the animal and wait a day. If the dog scratches the place of application or redness is observed there, then in no case should such a drug be used. Next, we look at the most common antiparasitic drugs.

Medicinal Shampoos

If a domestic dog has fleas, special bath preparations will help to get rid of them painlessly. Such funds are available, effective, do not cause allergies and poisoning. In addition, they contain useful components that help care for the skin and coat of the animal. However, the big disadvantage is that the effect of anti-flea shampoos is short-lived, and re-infection can occur within a couple of days. Please note that for puppies who are less than a month old, such drugs will not work.

The most popular shampoos are:

• "Phytoelite" is a non-toxic and non-allergenic substance. Contraindicated in pregnant and lactating dogs.
• "Doctor ZOO" - does not containsynthetic components in the composition, therefore, is less effective. However, the product boasts a set of essential oils, as well as a calming and antiseptic effect.
• Beaphar Bea Flea - shampoo, which is used strictly according to the instructions. Dogs up to 5 kg are shown 30 ml of the drug in 300 ml of warm water, and for animals from 5 to 15 kg you need to take 50 ml of shampoo.
• Mr. Bruno is a product that eliminates parasites, normalizes the pH of the skin and provides care for the coat. Not recommended for breastfed puppies.
• Shampoo "Meadow" is of two types: for long-haired and short-haired dogs. Also available for cats. Recommended for pets over one year old.

Drops for dogs from fleas

• "Lawyer". This drug quickly copes with the problem and is well tolerated by animals. Drops are produced in small pipettes, so they are easy to use. The substance is applied to the withers, having previously parted the wool. For faster absorption, you can distribute the composition along the spine.
• Another effective flea remedy for dogs is Bars. The drug is available in the form of drops and spray, and begins to act immediately after contact with the skin. The effect persists for two months after application. To fix the result, it is recommended to repeat the procedure after two weeks.
• "Advantix" is a German drug. Produced in a pipette tube, used from two months of age.
• "Stronghold" - colorless drops withoutsmell. They dry quickly as they do not contain oils. You can apply from one and a half months.
• "Dana" is a non-toxic solution, produced in a polymer pipette, applied pointwise along the spine from head to shoulder blades. For every 10 kilograms of animal weight, one such pipette is needed.

Collars

The dog flea collar is a flexible plastic band with a small buckle. In contact with the skin, such a product begins to release components that repel and destroy parasites. The collar should be worn constantly, periodically changing to a new one. Such products are ultrasonic, biological and chemical.

Here are the most famous manufacturers:

• Kiltix - gives results after a day, valid for 7 months.
• Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar is a moisture resistant collar with a fresh scent, not recommended for puppies under six months of age.
• Scalibor - valid for 6 months, can be worn by pregnant dogs. The collar is contraindicated for puppies under 7 months of age.
• Beaphar Ungezieferband - valid for 2 to 5 months, not suitable for puppies and pregnant dogs.
• Rolf Club - odorless collar, protects against parasites for 4 months. Not recommended for puppies and combined with other techniques.

Bravecto pills

The product is represented by brown chewable tablets. They have a pleasant aroma, but not every animal will eat them. The drug not only kills fleas, but also promotespreventing their reappearance. Tablets begin to act 4 hours after ingestion. One pill is given to the animal every 12 weeks. The dosage is indicated in the instructions and is determined depending on the weight of the dog.

Folk remedies

If fleas are found in a dog, traditional medicine will come to the rescue. Since such treatment involves the use of exclusively natural products, the development of side effects in the animal is minimized. It is important to strictly follow the prescription and use folk remedies as an addition to the main therapy. So what can you do to help your pet?

• Lemon water. Boil for 10 minutes finely chopped lemon in a liter of water and let it brew overnight. Then strain and pour into a spray bottle. Treat your pet's coat several times a day as the citrus smell repels parasites.
• Celandine. Tear the grass into small pieces and mix with vodka in a ratio of 1: 1. Let it brew for a couple of days, then apply 3 drops to the withers of the dog. Do not exceed the dosage in any case, as the celandine is very poisonous.
• Apple cider vinegar mixed with water in a ratio of 1:3 and rinse the animal after bathing. You can spray the composition evenly over the body 2-3 times a day.

All of these remedies are good for helping dogs with fleas. Reviews of veterinarians about this are also positive. However, please note that in parallel with the treatment, it is necessary to processroom, because fleas can live outside the animal's body for up to 8 months. Parasites can hide in crevices, behind furniture and baseboards, so sanitary and hygienic treatment of the home cannot be avoided. The litter, as already mentioned, must be boiled and thoroughly treated with an insecticide.

Flea Repellers

• Fleas do not tolerate the smell of garlic very well, so blood saturated with this aroma becomes uninteresting for them. However, before giving garlic to a dog, you need to consult a veterinarian. If he approves, you can add a crushed clove to the animal's food. If your dog still turns up his nose at such a "delicacy", you can replace the garlic with a special preparation that contains its extract.
• You can add a little apple cider vinegar to your dog's drinking water, but don't overdo it.

How often should I treat?

Not everyone knows how often to use flea drugs. Everything, of course, depends on the choice of method of dealing with parasites. Dog breeders still note the best means of preventing drops, since they are quickly absorbed and have a long duration of action. It is necessary to use such drugs once a month. As for the spray, it is applied topically. Each package indicates the frequency of use.

In any case, it is necessary to regularly examine your pet in order to detect the presence of parasites in a timely manner and quickly take appropriate measures to eliminate them. Also, don't forget to keep your home clean, and then your four-legged friend will be he althy and cheerful.