baltimore dog grooming

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.

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