External Parasites
Fleas
Fleas will cause major skin irritation and if left unchecked, may produce an allergic reaction in a dog which will seriously affect the skin. Find out the source of the fleas if possible (sometimes it is just a hedgehog, which the dog has sniffed).
A suitable treatment for the dog, available from pet shops
should be used, and a treatment for the property in which the dog
lives. This is a service we can provide with our Pest Control
Services.
Unless a full treatment of pet, bedding and habitat is carried
out then the problem may be ongoing.
Ticks
Ticks are external parasites, which initially are no larger than a spider. These arachnids will latch onto a dog when it runs through long grass or ferns. They then begin to feed on the host and become swollen to the size of a pea. With people this may cause Lymes disease.
Treatments are available over the counter or consult a vet for
their advice. If attempting to remove a tick yourself the
mouthparts and head must be removed. This can only effectively be
achieved by dabbing the body with an alcohol base product, which
will not irritate the dogs skin. Normally a quarter turn before
pulling will remove the entire tick, and sometimes a click is heard
when this is done.
There are preventative products, which are available through
pet shops although it is difficult to know how effective they
are.
For further information, please contact the
Pest and Dog Team .