How Do Fleas Affect Dogs?
WouterFleas are parasites that live on the skin of animals. The bites caused by fleas are painful for your pets. The skin condition is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. In severe infestations, your pet may also display symptoms of worms and even anemia.
The most visible sign of flea infestation is a red itchy bump on your dog’s skin. Flea bites can also cause visible hair loss and skin allergies in some cases. Fleas may also transmit parasites such as tapeworms. Dogs can pick up fleas from other pets or wildlife. If your dog does get fleas, you should consider applying flea repellent to the affected area.
Adult fleas lay around 50 eggs per day on a dog’s skin and fur. These eggs roll off the dog’s body and into the surrounding environment. In a suitable environment, flea larvae feed for two weeks. The larvae eventually form cocoons and pupate into adult fleas. Fleas may be present in your dog for months and can cause trouble for your dog and your home.
A flea infestation can be difficult to remove. It can take up to three months to completely eliminate the infestation. In addition to vacuuming regularly, your veterinarian may also prescribe a flea treatment that can be administered outdoors. The treatment is not a cure, but it can reduce the symptoms of an outbreak.
