Both cats and dogs commonly struggle with fleas. Fleas can proliferate in your yard as the weather warms up and bite your pet. In addition to their itchy bites, fleas can harm your pet in a variety of other ways.
Flea Infestations Pose Serious Risks to Pets
These pesky fleas can cause several health problems. There are several health issues, including tapeworms, anemia, and bartonellosis. One issue, flea allergy dermatitis, can cause an immune response. These health problems definitely come with symptoms such as:
Dermatitis is the most common skin disease in dogs. Because flea saliva contains enzymes, peptides, and amino acids, your pet’s immune system reacts to it, causing skin irritation and itching. You have a very small understanding of how your pet is feeling if you have ever swatted a flea off your leg or scratched a flea bite until it turns red. Just think, tons of fleas are attacking your pet. Other signs of FAD include severe skin itchiness, hair loss, skin infections, and irritation to the point of extreme irritability.
Anemia is another condition brought on by flea bites, which means that they are literally sucking your pet’s blood dry. Once your pet’s platelet count drops below a particular level, it becomes very dangerous. You are endangering the life of your pet if you don’t treat it.
Fleas can be ingested by your pet while it is biting and licking itself to feel better. Because these fleas may harbor tapeworm eggs, it is indeed as bad as it sounds. Tapeworm eggs are flea larvae. This larva is carried by the blood to the stomach walls by a hook, where it attaches. As it passes through your pet’s digestive system, it absorbs nutrients. This may result in weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.
The Bartonella bacteria causes bartonellosis. This bacterium is spread by fleas, but it can also be spread by ticks, sandflies, and lice. Your dog’s digestive, cardiovascular, skeletal, and neurological systems can all be affected by bartonellosis, as well as other body systems. Numerous symptoms are brought on by it, including fever, nausea or loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain, or alterations in brain function. It’s even scarier because dogs might not exhibit any clinical symptoms of infection. Posted in.
Dogs frequently experience flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), an allergic reaction to flea bites. In fact, one of the most typical causes for dog owners to take their pets to the vet is flea allergy dermatitis.
You might notice tapeworm fragments on your dog’s backside if they have tapeworms. These packets of tapeworm eggs, which resemble white rice grains, If you look closely, you might even see them moving. The eggs are released into the environment after the packets’ outer covering dries out so that the cycle can continue.
One flea on your dog can easily multiply into hundreds due to their rapid reproductive rate. Anemia, or low red blood cells, can develop in your dog if a lot of fleas bite and feed on him. Veterinarian care must be promptly sought for this serious medical condition, especially in puppies.
Dogs who have bartonellosis may exhibit a variety of symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain, nausea or loss of appetite, an irregular heartbeat, and altered brain functions. However, affected dogs typically do not show any clinical signs.
Fleas and their bites can aggravate your dog, transmit illnesses, and cause a number of health issues. Learn more about the illnesses that fleas can cause in dogs and how you can prevent them.
We are all aware of how itchy and contagious fleas can be, as well as how difficult they are to eradicate. However, can fleas actually cause a dog’s death? We consulted a veterinary professional to clarify this murky topic.
More than 15 flea species have been found in domestic dogs over the years—and it turns out canines may actually be the perfect hosts for bringing flea-borne diseases into homes [1].
Fleas can also cause tapeworms in dogs. This occurs when a dog is self-licking and ingests a flea that is carrying a tapeworm. The good news is that Brown claims, “I’ve never seen a dog die from a tapeworm infestation.” But make sure to get in touch with your veterinarian right away if you notice any indications of tapeworms in your dog’s feces.
Brown advises that you treat your dog’s fleas right away if you notice any. “You should know there are probably a hundred more fleas on your dog when you see one flea on your dog,” she advises. Additionally, take them to a veterinarian right away if you are unable to control the fleas in a timely manner or if you notice any anemia symptoms.
Brown is referring to a condition known as flea anemia, which, if left untreated, can actually result in a dog’s death.
FAQ
What illnesses can fleas cause in dogs?
- Flea allergy dermatitis.
- Tapeworms.
- Anemia.
- Bartonellosis.
What are the side effects of fleas on dogs?
Constant scratching from your dog may cause visible hair loss patches and red, irritated skin. In addition to causing skin allergies, fleas can infect your dog with other parasites like tapeworms.
What happens if a dog has too many fleas?
Most flea-borne illnesses frequently cause widespread symptoms like alopecia, anemia, and scratching. However, if untreated, symptoms may worsen and cause muscle wasting, fever, pneumonia due to a secondary infection, chronic anemia that could result in shock, and ultimately death.
Can dog fleas make dogs sick?
April 27, 2022. In a heartbeat, yes, fleas can make your dog sick. Fleas can transmit diseases that can cause a variety of health issues. Find out how fleas can harm your dog and what you can do to prevent them.