Dog Grooming and Fleas
Fleas and other parasites need to be given always a priority by
dog owners. As part of your dog grooming process, you will want to check your
pet for fleas, ticks, and mites.
These are small little things and can
be rather hard to see. Unless you get into the fur and really give a good
brushing to your dog, you may miss them. But, it is very important for you to
notice them and to take action to get rid of them if you find them.
Many
times, the flea bite causes allergic reactions in the dogs and can induce
allergic reactions in the concerned area bitten by the fleas. Hence, the
affected area looks like hairless area and the animal starts scratching. In
many occasions, dogs experience severe discomforts due to these allergic
reactions.
Before you begin thinking that fleas are something that
happens to other people's pets or that your animal is too clean to have them,
you may be wrong. Fleas prefer pet fur that is clean. And, if your dog goes out
of your home or comes into contact with other animals, he is likely to be
exposed to them at some point in his lifespan.
But, what matters is
when you catch them. If you are brushing your dog every other day, you'll
notice them right away. They may look like black or brown tiny specs that may
even look like dirt. But, more than likely they are either a flea, a flea egg
sack or flea droppings. In any of these cases, you should seek out help to have
your pet treated for this condition.
Other parasites like ticks, lice in
addition to the internal parasites like hook worms, round worms, whip worms
etc. cause affections in the health status of the animal. For example, if
hookworm affects the animal, most of the times, the dog has anemia. The anemic
signs become more prominent depending on the degree of affection by the
hookworm.
Hookworm larvae can pass directly through the skin and cause
problems in the affected ones. Such dogs may reveal lesions pertaining to the
dermatitis in the feet region and in the skin areas. Skin rashes may be seen
frequently in such cases and the affected animal passes loose stool, which is
of red tinged and mixed with blood material.
If the round worms are seen
in more numbers, the affected puppies reveal a potbelly condition, which is
easily recognized by the dog owners themselves. Piperazine salts are given by
oral route for the treatment of this problem. However, broad-spectrum
anthelmintics like pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole etc. are given to treat these
conditions.
Your first reaction may be to head to the local pet store
and purchase over the counter products for flea control. Yet, this may not be
all that helpful. They only work in the areas that they are applied (a flea
collar will only control fleas in that area) and they must be used properly for
the animal's health. Flea baths can help as long as you pay close attention to
what you are doing and insure that you get all of the 'flea' off the dog. This
will take some scrubbing.
Another option that you have when it comes to
fleas is to seek out the help of your vet. They can provide flea treatments for
the animal to effectively and safely get them off of your pet. You will need to
treat your home as well. To do this, you'll need to clean and sanitize all
areas where the pet sleeps or lays especially clothing, carpeting, bedding and
furniture. Make it part of your dog's grooming to check for fleas so that you
can catch them as quickly as possible.
Many drugs have come in market to
treat the fleas and other parasites. Nowadays, the medical agent called as
ivermectin is highly preferred by many dog owners to treat the fleas and other
parasites in dogs. This drug is available in injection form and oral form. Even
the drug is available for the external application also.
Gift Items for Dog Lovers Lots of gifts and other products for dog lovers, books, games,
puzzles, magnetic poetry, t-shirts and more.
Following are some resources to help you find a dog groomer in the
Baltimore area.
Baltimore School of Dog Grooming - Home
Page The Baltimore School of Dog Grooming has built its reputation by
mentoring serious students who demonstrate the same commitment to excellence
that has marked its exemplary history. BSDG staff and management have the
ability, expertise, commitment, and facilities to provide every tool for
your success.
Prince Frederick
Kennels and Grooming Prince Frederick Kennels and Grooming is a
state-of- the-art boarding facility located on 7 spacious acres in the heart of
Prince Frederick, MD.
Dog Grooming Articles
English Springer
Spaniel Grooming Proper grooming of your English Springer Spaniel ranks
right up there with daily exercise, regular veterinary visits and flea
protection.
Trimming Your English Springer
Spaniel's Nails Regular nail trimming is important to your English
Springer Spaniels health and well being. Nails that are not properly clipped
can crack and split, which can lead to infection in that area. |