Can Fleas Cause Dogs To Have Seizures?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Bartonella. Bartonella is a common flea-transmitted illness in dogs and especially cats.

It is often associated with numerous conditions including heart disease, eye inflammation and seizures

.

What problems can fleas cause in dogs?

If a large number of bite and feed, your dog can develop

anemia, or low red blood cells

. This serious medical condition must be promptly addressed through veterinary care, especially in puppies. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, lethargy, rapid breathing and potentially death if the fleas are not killed.

What triggers a seizure in a dog?

Causes of Seizures in Dogs


Heat Exhaustion

. Nutritional imbalances such as thiamine deficiency. Low blood sugar levels. Liver disease.

Can fleas make my dog act weird?

Not all symptoms of fleas on dogs are physical—

a flea infestation can make dogs act differently, too

. Sometimes dogs can be cranky, restless or just plain acting odd, Grimmett says.

Did my dog have a seizure?

What Are the Symptoms of Seizures? Symptoms can include

collapsing, jerking, stiffening, muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping, tongue chewing, or foaming at the mouth

. Dogs can fall to the side and make paddling motions with their legs. They sometimes poop or pee during the seizure.

Are fleas bad for dogs?

Your dog's constant scratching may lead to visible patches of hair loss and reddened, irritated skin.

Fleas may also cause skin allergies and can transmit other parasites, such as tapeworms, to your dog

.

Do flea collars cause seizures?


Collars have caused seizures, rashes in humans

Between 2013 and 2018, 907 incidents were reported with humans, according to a September 2019 EPA assessment of human health risk.

Should you take dog to vet after seizure?


Any seizure lasting over five minutes needs to be treated immediately by a vet

. If your dog has several seizures in the span of a few minutes and does not wake up between each one, he needs to see a vet immediately.

How can I prevent my dog from having seizures?


Reducing stress and limiting changes to your dog's environment

can help to prevent seizures, as stress is known to ‘trigger' seizures. Feeding your dog a healthy diet, keeping an eye on their blood sugar and getting them checked regularly by your daytime vet will also come in handy.

Can flea infestation make a dog sick?

Within just three short weeks, a single flea can infest your dog with more than 1,000 blood-sucking descendants. While uncomfortable for your dog (and your unprotected ankles),

fleas can also cause anemia, allergic reactions and infections

. Fleas can also transmit tapeworms.

What happens if fleas are left untreated?

Left untreated,

fleas can multiply rapidly and make your dog seriously ill

. That's why it's important to check your dog for fleas on a regular basis and act quickly to eliminate any outbreaks that occur. Some dogs are severely allergic to flea saliva and can experience extreme discomfort even from a single flea bite.

Can too many fleas make a dog sick?

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

While they don't generate life-threatening illnesses, the problems they do create often cause concern.

Flea bites often trigger a reaction in pets that are susceptible to allergies

. This occurs because fleas release saliva while consuming a pet's blood.

Can fleas cause neurological disorders in dogs?

The FDA is warning pet owners and vets that

certain flea and tick medications have the potential to cause stumbling, seizures and other neurological effects in cats and dogs

.

What kills fleas on dogs instantly?

The most common product used to kill fleas on dogs instantly is

Nitenpyram, more commonly known as Capstar

. This single-use tablet is administered orally and kills fleas within 30 minutes. It is recommended that you contain your pet in a small area when using Capstar.

Can fleas give dogs anxiety?

There are a few other signs you should be on the lookout for if you think your dog has fleas: Excessive Licking. Head Shaking.

Anxiety or Nervousness

.

What can I give my dog after a seizure?

After dogs come out of a seizure,

a little all-natural vanilla ice cream, honey, or natural maple syrup

will help to raise their sugar levels back up. Follow with a protein such as little kibble, cheese stick, a spoonful of cottage cheese, chicken, etc. to help stabilize those sugar levels.

What toxins can cause seizures in dogs?

According to the ASPCA,

caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol

can cause your dog's seizures.

What dog breeds are more prone to seizures?

Your dog is most likely to suffer from seizures if he or she is a

Belgian Tervuren, Shetland sheepdog, beagle, Labrador retriever, golden retriever, keeshond, or vizsla

. Other breeds more prone to seizures include the Finnish spitz, Bernese mountain dog, Irish wolfhound, and English springer spaniel.

How long does it take to get rid of fleas on dogs?

Killing the fleas on your dog is just one part of the problem. You also need to determine how to get rid of fleas in your home. This requires patience. It can take as long as

three-to-four months

to get rid of an infestation, as it takes this long for all of the fleas in your home to go through their life stages.

Are fleas a serious problem?


Fleas Are a Health Risk to Humans, Too

“Fleas can bite humans but don't actually live on human skin or hair. Certain diseases can be carried by fleas and spread to humans, including plague and cat scratch fever. If you have signs related to any of these diseases, consult your physician,” says Dr. Denish.

What are symptoms of fleas on dogs?

  • Pruritus (intense itching and licking of the skin)
  • There may be additional rubbing and chewing of the skin.
  • Scabbing or redness.
  • Skin sores.
  • Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) which is an allergic reaction to the flea saliva.
  • Hair loss.
  • Restless behavior.

Which flea medicine causes seizures?

Health officials are alerting pet owners and veterinarians that certain flea and tick treatments might put dogs and cats at an increased risk of neurologic issues, including seizures. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the drugs are in the isoxazoline class and include

Bravecto, Credelio, Nexgard and Simparica

.

What is safest flea and tick treatment for dogs?

  • Frontline Plus is an OTC product that uses fipronil and (S)-methoprene to attack fleas and ticks at every life stage. …
  • Trifexis employs spinosad and milbemycin oxime to keep dogs protected from heartworms and intestinal parasites as well as fleas, but it does not work against ticks.

Can flea collar cause seizures in dogs?

Seresto contains two active ingredients: imidacloprid (an insecticide to kill fleas) and flumethrin (an insecticide/acaricide combination that kills fleas and also ticks). Both are very safe for dogs at the doses present in the collar and only very rarely cause adverse reactions — and

not seizures

.

Do seizures shorten a dog's life?


The life span of dogs in which euthanasia or death was directly caused by their epileptic condition was significantly shorter as compared with epileptic dogs that were euthanized because of other causes

(P = . 001). The median number of years that a dog lived with epilepsy was 2.3 years.

Are dogs in pain when they have seizures?

However, it may give you peace of mind to know that

dog seizures aren't painful for your pooch

. Of course, your dog might feel a sense of panic and confusion but during the actual seizure, they won't be in pain.

What not to feed a dog that has seizures?

Things to Avoid


Chemical preservatives, such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin

may increase seizure activity, as well. At least initially, organ meats such as livers and kidneys should be avoided. An article in Whole Dog Journal suggests that the diet of a dog with seizures should be free of gluten.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.