Help treat your dog’s fleas & ticks, from home

If you see a flea, that, of course, is the most likely cause of your dog’s itching. If you don’t see fleas, look for reddish patches on your dog’s skin, bald patches on the dog, red dots on your skin (especially around your ankles, a common spot where fleas bite humans), black specks on the dog’s skin and fur, or pale gums in the dog’s mouth, which is a sign the dog has lost a lot of blood. If you see these, schedule an online visit with a Dutch vet immediately to start treatment.

Dogs normally scratch once in a while and randomly. Persistent scratching is a sign that something is wrong, and fleas are among the top concerns. Dogs who pick up fleas can undergo flea treatment, which can take several forms.

You might have to add topical medications or give the dog oral medications. You’ll also have to treat your home, and treat every other pet in the home as a possible flea source, too. Wash all bedding (including yours), and contact a pest control company to treat your home and yard.

If your dog does not undergo regular preventive flea treatment, schedule an online vet visit through Dutch to talk about preventive care options to keep future infestations at bay.

As a pet parent, it’s important to know about some of the different types of ticks on dogs, what they look like, and where they’re found. Different types of ticks prefer different types of hosts and are found in different areas. Here are some of the most common ticks on dogs:

-Blacklegged Tick
-American Dog Tick
-Lonestar Tick

Ticks are relatively small, so you might not notice a tick in your dog’s skin right away. Instead, it’s important to know some of the signs of ticks on dogs so you can search your dog for ticks if they’re acting strange.

If you don’t spot a tick on your dog, you might notice they have a fever, scabs, bumps on their skin, or that their head is shaking. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, you should check them for ticks and take them to the vet.

The easiest way to tell if your dog has ticks is to check for them. Ticks are fairly easy to spot if you know what you’re looking for, and you can remove the tick on your own once you’ve found it.

Removing ticks from dogs is fairly simple, but it’s important to do it right. Here are some tips for removing ticks from your dog:

-Remove ticks immediately with tweezers
-If several ticks are present, take your dog to the vet
-Pull straight upward with steady pressure
-Avoid twisting the tick, which can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in your dog’s skin
-Avoid crushing the tick to minimize the risk of spreading disease
-Thoroughly clean the area you removed the tick from when you’re finished

If you’re not sure if your dog has ticks, you can schedule an online visit with a Dutch vet to talk about preventive care options to keep future infestations at bay.

If your dog has a tick problem and you need vet care, Dutch is here to help. Dutch can connect you with vets who can video chat with you to offer expert advice and help diagnose your dog.