Which Disease Will Fleas Cause Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Flea allergy dermatitis.
  • Tapeworms.
  • Anemia.
  • Bartonellosis.

What is the main disease condition caused by fleas?


Flea-borne (murine) typhus

, is a disease caused by a bacteria called Rickettsia typhi. Flea-borne typhus is spread to people through contact with infected .

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.

What is flea anemia?

Flea anemia is

caused by fleas drinking so much blood that the dog has an insufficient amount of red blood cells left

. For some, fleas may seem like a nuisance, but make no mistake — this condition can be deadly if left untreated.

Can fleas cause viral infections?

In the United States,

some fleas carry pathogens that can cause human disease

, including: Plague — most commonly transmitted to humans in the United States by infected ground squirrel fleas, Oropsylla montana, and globally by infected Oriental rat fleas, Xenopsylla cheopis.

What diseases are transmitted by fleas and ticks?

These diseases include

Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, relapsing fever, ehrlichiosis, tularemia and tick paralysis

. It is important for the health of your pet, as well as the safety of your family, to include ticks in your pet's year-round parasite control program.

Are fleas parasites to dogs?


Fleas and ticks are perhaps the most common external parasites in dogs

. Fleas are usually a problem during warm months and are inactive during the winter season. The most common symptom for infestation is scratching and chewing which can lead to bald patches and irritated skin.

What do fleas hate the most?

Like many pests, fleas hate

the smell and taste of vinegar

, so they'll do their best to avoid it. Use this information to your advantage by making a vinegar-based flea spray to use on your pet. To make your homemade flea spray, you'll need white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

What kills flea eggs on dogs?

Treat Your Pet

Use

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Spray or Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collars with an insect growth regulator (IGR)

designed to kill flea eggs and their larvae. The spray is effective for up to two months, and the collars are effective for up to seven months.

What kills fleas on contact on dogs naturally?


Apple cider vinegar

as a home remedy for fleas on dogs

Another way to naturally get rid of fleas on dogs is to try a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar. According to The Spruce, a DIY spray of equal parts vinegar (of your choice, but most people choose ACV) can help deter fleas away.

What does flea anemia look like?

The affected animal will have

pale gums

(normal gums are shell-pink; anemic gums can be completely white). In advanced disease, the patient will be listless and even cold. A flea comb can be used to check for flea dirt.

How can you tell if a dog is anemic?

  1. Fatigue; running out of energy easily during play or exercise.
  2. Dark or “tarry” stools, or dark blood in feces or vomit.
  3. Change in color of gums (whitish or pale pink)
  4. Bruising on skin (from loss of platelets)

How do you treat anemia in dogs?

  1. Immunosuppressive drugs.
  2. Deworming or parasite medications.
  3. Blood transfusion.
  4. Bone marrow transfusion.
  5. Intravenous fluids.
  6. Surgery.
  7. Antibiotics.
  8. Change to existing medications.

Can fleas transmit hepatitis?

Hepatitis C (Hep C) is NOT passed on through touching, kissing or hugging someone else, or by sneezing or coughing. It is not spread by sharing food, crockery, cutlery, towels, bathrooms or toilets.

Insects like mosquitoes or fleas do not transmit hep C

.

Do fleas carry Lyme disease?


There is no credible evidence that Lyme disease can be transmitted through air, food, water, or from the bites of mosquitoes, flies, fleas, or lice

.

How do dogs get Bartonella?

Dogs get bartonella bacteria

through contact with lice, ticks, fleas, and even sand fleas

. Hunting dogs and working dogs who encounter livestock and/or wild animals are at greater risk for contracting bartonella than dogs who spend the majority of their time indoors or in the city.

What are the symptoms of Bartonella?

The symptoms of Bartonella can vary from mild to severe, and usually begin 5 to 14 days after infection. Common symptoms include

fever, headaches, fatigue, poor appetite, brain fog, muscle pain, and swollen glands around the head, neck, and arms

.

How is leptospirosis diagnosed?

The most common way to diagnose leptospirosis is

through serological tests either the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) which detects serovar-specific antibodies, or a solid-phase assay for the detection of Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies

.

What happens if you leave fleas 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.

Why my dog keeps getting fleas?


Your dog will most likely pick up fleas outside during contact with other animals, be they pets or wildlife

. Dogs are sociable creatures, and fleas can jump from the pup they met in the park to your pooch or even from other pets. Dogs love to investigate open spaces where wild animals carrying fleas are also present.

Where do fleas live on dogs?

Summary. Most fleas live on dogs

near their lower back

. The second-most common regions are the chest and abdomen, followed by the neck, legs, and crotch. Fleas rarely live on a dog's tail or head.

Can I spray my dog with vinegar to get rid of fleas?

Fleas don't like the smell or taste of it, so they're likely to avoid your pet if they have it on their fur.

Dilute apple cider vinegar in water and add it to a spray bottle

. If your pet doesn't enjoy getting sprayed, dip a brush in the mixture and distribute it into their fur with a grooming session.

Can fleas smell?


Fleas have a strong sense of smell

, which they use to find accessible food sources. You can take advantage of this trait by using scents they dislike, such as cedarwood, mint, vinegar, clove oil, citrus, DEET, lemongrass oil, and rosemary oil.

Do dryer sheets repel fleas?


The dryer kills fleas

and is one of the best weapons against them. The high temperatures inside the dryer are enough to kill fleas on bedding, clothes, stuffed animals, and other cloth or fabric items.

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.