Fleas Facts - how to tell if your dog has fleas

Posted by Clare Bristow

dog-flea If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, then this is the time of year to be especially vigilant for [tag]fleas[/tag]; here in New Zealand we have to be on alert all through the year.

Fleas thrive in warm and moist environments. May through to September are the months when you are more likely to see fleas, and in temperate climates they are active all year.

What are the symptoms of fleas?

Dogs react differently fleas, so you could see any of the following:

intense scratching causing red inflamed lumps, skin legions and ulcers - severe cases being known as [tag]flea allergy dermatitis[/tag];
mild scratching and biting at the skin; and
dogs being completely oblivious to the fact that they have fleas in their coat.

A severe flea infestation, especially in puppies, can cause anaemia.

There are over 2,000 species of fleas and they can transmit a vast array of diseases, most notably tapeworms.

How do I know if my dog has fleas?

Look for adult fleas crawling through your dog's fur - they are 2 - 8mm long, a mahogany brown color and have three pairs of legs; the back pair of legs being longer than the other two pairs. In addition, the flea is quite flat when you look at it side to side.

If you can't see any fleas, look for what is called 'flea dirt', which is actually flea faeces - more precisely digested blood from your dog.

To find [tag]flea dirt[/tag] comb through the fur on your dog's hindquarters and/or neck and collect the bits that drop out from his coat. Flea dirt looks like black specks of dirt - if you put them on a damp paper towel they will turn a dark red color, indicating that they comprise of dried blood.

Treatment for Fleas

Each month you should implement flea prevention program that treats not just your dog but the environment he lives in too.

Once your dog has fleas, it is a real headache to remove them from your dog and house - and it can be a costly exercise and take a few months to be completely free of them.

As with many conditions, prevention is better than cure - ideally flea prevention should form part of your regular dog care schedule.

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