My Dog Has Fleas

It's hard to imagine a critter as small as a flea can take down a Great Dane, but they can. Along with his buddies, fleas are deadly for your pet. These bloodsuckers can cause anemia, depression and tapeworms in your best friend.

Anemia is a breakdown of red blood cells. A good sign your pet is suffering from anemia is white gums. Your pet's gums should be a reddish color. This is a serious, life threatening situation and you should call your vet immediately. Honey mixed with some water can help if your pet isn't too far down. Honey is a natural antibiotic and helps restore red blood cells. However, a vet is still required to save your pet.

Tapeworm is a disgusting little parasite that lives inside fleas. When your pet chews on an annoying flea, he ingests the egg into his system where it hatches. The worm will then live off your pet and can create weight loss and diarrea. You will know if your cat or dog has a tapeworm. Pieces or segments of the tapeworm will be eliminated from your pet in his stool. Yes, the segments are still alive and you can see them moving. Out in the open air, these pieces will soon die. The real problem is still inside your pet. Not to worry. A quick visit to your vet can solve the problem. A pill for tapeworms is what's required. A simple task if the worm is in your dog. Wrap the pill in a bit of peanut butter sandwich and you're done. Cats, however, are more of a challenge. If you have never wormed a cat, be warned. It's safer and less painful if you just take your cat to the vet and let them poke the pill down your cat's throat. A worm pill is bitter and if the cat bites into it, he will drool and you will not get another chance to try again. Cats remember. Boy do they remember.

A depressed animal has a lost of appetite, a rough coat, droopy eyes and has no desire to play. There is no mistaking an animal that's depressed. Here again, you need to visit your vet. He may need a round of antibiotics to boost his system back to normal.

Fleas are like tiny vampires that feed on your pet's blood. Tiny specks of dried blood will affirm your suspicion of fleas hiding in your pet's coat. A single flea can lay as many as 60 eggs each day. For every flea you find, there are probably 30 more hidden somewhere in your home.

Healthy pets don't taste or smell as good to fleas, therefore, keeping your pet in the best shape possible is the best thing you can do to control fleas. Exercise and a healthy diet, however, doesn't mean your pet is flea free.

Flea control comes in three choices. Sprays, topicals and oral. Sprays and topicals all instruct you to wash your hands after treating your dog or cat. They also recommend keeping children away from your pet for a short time after treating him with the flea control. It makes you wonder just how safe this is for your animal. The sprays and topicals can cause skin irritations and worse side effects in some animals including death. Always monitor your pet after treating him with a flea control of any kind.

Here's where the natural flea control comes in. Many pet owners swear by brewers yeast and garlic for flea control. Fleas don't like the smell or taste of garlic or yeast. By adding a brewers yeast with garlic pill to your pet's diet, you are making their blood unpalatable to fleas. Not all pets like the yeast and garlic pill, but most do and it is a good treat to give them. Always follow the recommended dosage on the side of the bottle. You can find brewers yeast and garlic pills in most stores that carry pet supplies.

Check with your vet before using raw garlic. There are studies that say raw garlic, especially too much garlic, can damage red blood cells in your pet. This is called hemolytic anemia and can cause death. However, many people are quite successful using raw garlic. Always monitor your pet when using any kind of supplement and call your vet if they exhibit any change in behavior or eating routines.

Apple cider vinegar added to your pet's drinking water can help strengthen your pets immune system. Add one teaspoon daily to their drinking water. Here again, some people swear fleas don't like the smell or taste of vinegar.

Regular combings with a quality flea comb works well. Prepare a dish of warm soapy water to place the fleas in as you comb them off your pet. The soap breaks the surface of the water and the flea will sink and drown in the water. Most animals love the attention they get when you comb them so this is always a good activity.

Regardless of which method of flea control you decide to use, the important thing to remember is no control will only create an undesirable outcome for you and your pet. If you are unsure of which method to use, talk to your vet. They are the experts and can give you the best advice to provide your pet the care they deserve.

Sources:

Christine Makowski, DVM, Natural Flea Control, Mother Earth News

Robbins Pet Care, Natural Flea Control, Eartheasy

Garlic for Pets: dogs, cats and horses, Hood River Garlic