It is that time of the year again when those pesky little virtually invisible insects sharpen their teeth to begin their rampage on our dogs. They have been waiting to begin their breeding explosion and cause unbearable irritation to both pets and humans.

These are pests that feed on your dog by using soft, warm fur as a natural environment for breeding.  These insects feed on the blood of your dog and can drink 15 times their own weight, even causing a range of health problems from tapeworm to serious tick-borne illnesses.

You have guessed the culprits. Fleas and ticks are most common during the warmer summer months. Dogs can easily pick up fleas from cats and from time spent outdoors. Female fleas are very productive and like a production line can lay an egg every hour, which can lead to a high infestation in your home in only a few days.

What are the warning signs for fleas in Dogs?

1.Carefully examine your dog for scabs or areas of skin that look slightly inflamed.

2.Examine your dog and look for dark specks in the fur. These are Flea droppings.

3.If you see white specks in the dogs fur. These are possibly Flea eggs

4.Is your dog licking or scratching more than normal? It could be fleas.

5.If your dog has pale gums and shows signs of lack luster then it could be fleas. 

As fleas consume massive amounts of your dogs blood it may cause sudden drop their red blood cell count and anemia may be the end result.

So what happens when a flea bites?

The nasty, tiny, flat sided wingless insect injects saliva into your pets skin as a way of stopping the blood from clotting. This may trigger a reaction to the skin called flea allergy dermatitis. Symptoms are intense itching, scabs and red irritated skin, which may lead to skin infections and some loss of hair (especially around the tail).

 Fleas are not only content to drink dogs blood, they will drink human blood as well. The mere fact that stroking your dog can cause a flea to jump from your dog onto your skin. Unfortunately many people react severely to flea bites, which can cause itching leading to scratching and various skin infections.

 To stop these nasty blood sucking insects from getting out of control you need to attack your home and your dog at the same time with anti-flea measures. Start with your home environment, carpets and humid areas are favorites for fleas.

When fleas lay eggs on your dog, a few eggs drop off onto your carpet, bed, or other furniture where they can hatch successfully and repopulate your dog and home.  So thoroughly cleaning carpets and associated bedding will help in the fight against fleas. Also keep your home as dry as possible as they thrive in humid conditions.

Keep your dog flea free with sprays, washes, combing and tablets. Flea collars can also be used but their life is limited.  There are also chemical free treatments available. It is best to consult your veterinarian.

Remember for every flea you see on your pet, it is estimated that there are 100 more waiting to spread chaos in your home.

Now that is a sobering thought!