The Way to Free Your Dog From Fleas and Ticks

By Sean S. Fredrick

Fleas and ticks are common and potentially dangerous. Deer ticks in particular can carry devastating Lyme disease and need to be removed as soon as they are discovered. Fleas can be carried by a rats and other wild animals, which can easily be transferred to those pet dogs that live and play near heavily wooded areas.

Preventing fleas and ticks from finding a home in your pets her and skin requires little work and some common sense. Observe your pet and how frequent they scratch and in what areas. Frequent scratching causing bruises and abrasions is the first clue to flee and tick infestation. A common area to find this kind of injury will be around the ears. Inspect the ears carefully especially down inside the ear canal with a small flashlight.

While there are several types of flea and tick deterrents on the market, a large infestation particularly in the ears will require a visit to the veterinarian's office. Ticks will embed themselves deep into the skin creating an area of redness and bruising. Ticks will tend to bury their head into the skin first feeding on the blood of the animal while sometimes leaving their bodies exposed on the outside of the skin.

Properly removing a tick from the skin can often times just be a simple matter of using a pair of tweezers and gently pulling on the ticks body until it releases itself. Be sure not to use too much pressure as to pinch and tear the skin causing a bigger problem. Larger and more extreme infestations should be handled by a vet and with proper medication.

Fleas also bite into the skin feeding on the blood of whatever animal there on. A flea infestation can best be handled by a medicated shampoo applied daily until they are gone. Dogs that spend much of their time around densely wooded areas, or in areas with a high amount of rats will be most at risk for fleas and ticks.

Frequent bathing and observation of the skin and fur will assist in determining if fleas and ticks are present. Flea collars can help, but it is better to keep your pet dog out of trouble areas. Children also are susceptible to flee bites especially when in constant close contact with your pet. With a little observation and common sense, a small flea or tick will not grow into a very large problem.

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