Quote of the week
“If you pick up a stray dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you.
“This is the prime difference between a dog and a man,” – Mark Twain
Welcome everyone.
In this article we are going to deal with the most common unwanted passengers on your dogs – fleas. Dog owners have all been faced with this problem, but thanks to medical science they can now largely be avoided due to various preventative treatments that are available.
We will then investigate the safe use of insecticides for the control of fleas – on our dogs and in the home environment.
ALSO READ: You and Your Dog: Why you need to groom your dog
Fleas are not only unpleasant for your dog, causing him severe irritation, they can also cause him to become seriously ill. Some dogs are allergic to fleas and the allergy can be triggered by only one flea.
TAPEWORM is the most common parasite carried by fleas. Tapeworm lives in the intestines of your dog, but is not only a dog-related parasite, it can infect humans as well, so it is important to keep your dog free of fleas to prevent the infestation of tapeworm – not only for your dog but for the safety of your family as well.
The spread of tapeworm occurs when infected fleas are accidentally ingested – by self-grooming or catching a bird which might be infested with fleas. You might observe segments of the tapeworm in your dog’s stools. These resemble grains of rice and they contain tapeworm eggs. And so the cycle will begin again, with a new host and most likely, a new recipient.
Often a dog will scoot his bottom along the floor, which could be due to the skin becoming irritated by the tapeworm segments. There are also other worms that could infect your dog, including roundworm, hookworm and whipworm. Your vet will usually ask for a sample of your dog’s stool which he will test for worms. Usually, treatment with the prescription drug praziquantel is very successful.
If you suspect that your dog has tapeworm, a consultation with your vet is the best route to go, and keeping your dog free of fleas is the best way to avoid tapeworm infestation:
- Treat your dog and his indoor and outdoor environment regularly for fleas.
- Treatment by your vet should be done promptly if your dog has tapeworm.
- Always clean up after your dog, place his poop in a plastic bag and discard into a dirt bin.
- Keep children away from soiled areas.
- Children should be taught to wash their hands after playing with the dog.
- Keep your dog away from dead animals or any rubbish lying around.
INSECTICIDE WARNING!!!
Organophosphate is an active ingredient found in found in tick and flea treatments and many insecticides, including those used on lawns and for garden care. Organophosphate can be absorbed through the skin, respiratory system or the gastrointestinal tract. Toxicity can occur if the insecticide is misused, overused or if more than one insecticide is used at the same time.
Tick and flea collars contain organophosphate, so say for example your dog is fitted with a flea collar, and you then decide to apply another flea treatment onto your dog’s coat, you could be putting your dog into a very dangerous situation.
Symptoms of organophosphate poisoning may include some or most of the following:
- Abdominal pain,
- Vomiting,
- Diarrhoea,
- Weight loss,
- Difficulty breathing or
- Uncontrollable urination
If you observe any of these, consult your vet immediately as your dog could die if left untreated.
HOW TO AVOID ORGANOPHOSPHATE POISONING:
ALWAYS read the instructions on insecticide labels before using.
ALWAYS consult your vet before you use any tick or flea treatments on a sick dog as when a dog is ill the immune system is weakened and insecticides can affect the body more easily.
NEVER apply multiple flea products on your dog – it can result in toxicity and possibly death.
Flea products that contain organophosphate effective are a safe solution in the treatment of fleas, IF USED CORRECTLY.
NEVER use a product that is prescribed for treating a different condition.
NEVER apply house or yard insecticides on your dog.
My personal recommendation is to seek the advice of your vet before using any type of insecticide for the treatment of fleas.
Regards,
Yvonne Eland
ACDIPCBM (UK)
Specialist in Canine Behaviour and Management
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