Do Fleas Cause Dogs to Lose Weight?
WouterFleas are parasites that live on dogs. Fleas have flattened bodies that allow them to move quickly. Although they cannot fly, they have long legs and can jump. These fleas also have spiny structures on the hind legs. Fleas may also change a dog’s personality.
Fleas may also cause anemia, which is characterized by weight loss, pale gums, and lethargic behavior. Flea anemia is a condition that occurs when a large number of fleas are consuming the blood of your pet. This condition usually affects puppies, old dogs, and sick dogs.
Fleas can cause hair loss, reddened skin, and infections. Some fleas can transmit tapeworms, which is life-threatening in puppies. Some dogs may develop flea allergy dermatitis, which causes excessive scratching and can result in secondary skin problems, including anemia.
Fleas also carry tapeworm eggs. Once your dog ingests a flea, the tapeworm will mature inside your pet and start feeding on its blood. While most dogs can survive a tapeworm infestation without any complications, this is not the case for puppies and geriatric dogs.
It is best to seek the advice of your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog is infested. A veterinarian can prescribe you an appropriate medication that will kill adult fleas and stop them from reproducing. In addition, there are veterinary-approved topical and oral flea preventive products for dogs.
