Fleas

Ounce-for-ounce, few creatures can inflict more discomfort than fleas. These tiny pests can hop onto your dog unobserved to feed on its blood and lay eggs, producing yet another generation. Fleas can make life miserable for people and dogs alike, disrupting your household with a nasty cycle of biting and scratching and in some pets causing flea allergy dermatitis or anemia.

Where Fleas Hide

Fleas eggs, larvae and pupae can hide in a number of flea-friendly locations around your home like furniture, carpeting and shaded areas. Take a look at some of their favorite hideouts! These are also the same places your dog spend most of its time.

Flea Life Cycle Pictured below

The flea life cycle can be as short as a few weeks or can last several months - plenty of time to be mighty irritating to you and your dog. Here are the four stages of a fleas development.



How Fleas Affect Dogs

Fleas don't just make your dog itchy - they may actually make it ill. Fleas aren't choosy - dogs of all ages and breeds are susceptible.
How Fleas Can "Bug" Your Pets

Flea Infestation Warning Signs

Be aware of the following warning signs that indicate the presence of fleas on your dog.

Black specks

Black specks on your dog or in your dog's bed could be what's commonly called "flea dirt," which is actually adult flea feces. Here are two easy ways to check for black specks.

Use a metal flea comb, available from your veterinarian

Run the comb over your dog, making sure the comb reaches the skin through the coat. If you see black specks on the comb when you've finished, they could be flea dirt. If there are actually fleas on the comb, drown them in a bowl of soapy water before they can hop away or jump back on your dog.

Use a white paper towel

Place a white paper towel beneath your dog and rub your hands across its fur. If black specks appear on the towel, they may be flea dirt.

Agitation and scratching

Dogs infested with fleas may become unusually nervous and agitated and will scratch excessively.

Don't delay

If you observe black specks or agitation and scratching, be sure to consult your veterinarian immediately. Used as directed, FRONTLINE® Plus (fipronil/(S)-methroprene) from Merial can eliminate your pet's existing fleas and keep fleas from reinfesting your dog.

Flea-Bite-Related Illnesses

Fleas are responsible for flea allergy dermatitis, or FAD, and anemia.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)

Your dog may develop FAD as a reaction to the small amount of saliva fleas leave in the skin after biting an animal. Dogs suffering from FAD scratch and bite excessively around the tail, groin, or backside and may also develop scabs or bumps on the neck or back.

Anemia

Puppies, older dogs, and dogs with pre-existing illnesses maybesusceptible to flea-bite-induced anemia. Symptoms include pale gums, weakness and lethargy.