How many times should dogs be treated for fleas? Treating dogs for fleas and ticks

The bite brings discomfort. Bite areas may itch and hurt, causing stress in the animal.

Experiencing discomfort, the dog scratches the bites, and the wounds become a gateway for bacterial infections.

A large number of bites leads to blood loss, which weakens the animal's immune system.

Diseases after a bite develop very quickly. Sometimes the onset of symptoms lasts for several weeks, and sometimes it goes away in a flash: within just a few hours. If treatment is not started promptly, the animal may die.

How to protect your dog from ticks and fleas?

It is enough to use one reliable product for constant protection. It is not recommended to combine sprays, drops, collars and tablets with each other: this will not benefit the pet. However, each drug has its own characteristics and recommendations for compatibility. Please read the instructions carefully and consult a veterinarian before handling.

Be vigilant and take care of the health of your pets: they deserve it.

Prevention and protection against tick bites in dogs is protection against “tick fever”, which occurs as a result of a bite from a tick that was a carrier of the disease. The danger of contracting this disease is fraught with the death of the animal within a short period of time after infection.

Take care of your pets

A tick bite can kill a dog

Ixodid ticks carry piroplasmosis (babesiosis), tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease).
Fleas are a source of infection with tapeworms (dipylidiasis).
Mosquitoes can carry leishmaniasis and dirofilariasis (heartworms).

Why are tick bites and piroplasmosis dangerous?

A tick bite is scary when the tick carries a disease. The likelihood that a tick is infectious depends on the region of residence.
The tick that carries piroplasmosis is especially dangerous. Consequences of a bite from an infectious tick from piroplasmosis - death of a dog within 2 - 3 days from the moment of the bite, if therapeutic measures are not taken in time.

Where and when can you become infected from a tick bite?

Since a dog becomes infected through a tick bite, the higher the likelihood that the dog gets into its habitat, the higher the likelihood of infection.
Also, the period of tick activity greatly influences the likelihood of infection. It is most active in spring and autumn (May - June and August - September).
It is naive to think that there are no ticks in the city.
It is wrong to think that you cannot get infected in winter. During the thaw period, the tick is activated.
If your dog stays indoors and never goes outside, then the likelihood of infection is very low. But there is an option that guests came to you (they brought a dog), a tick fell from them and your dog “picked it up”.

Why is tick prevention necessary?

Prevention is needed to prevent a dog from being bitten by a tick. That is, the task is to apply preparations that will repel the tick from the animal’s body. It should not crawl over the dog in search of the bite site, but “fall off”, being “scared off” by the protective agent. As a rule, when a tick lands on a treated dog, it is exposed to the drug, which leads to a decrease in its activity and further death.

Consequences of a tick bite on a dog
A tick bite can lead to the death of a dog, this is its main danger. Complications due to the transfer of the disease, such as kidney failure, are also possible.

What does prevention and protection against tick bites include?

Prevention is to treat the dog with special products that repel ticks.
There are the following groups of anti-tick products:
- sprays most effective and the least allergens (begin to work immediately after application);
- collars, vice versa, least effective and most allergens (begin to act after a few days, when the substance is distributed);
- drops on the withers occupy an intermediate position in both indicators (they must be absorbed into the skin and distributed over it, this usually takes at least a day);
- vaccines (Pirodog), are currently little used in our country.

It is important to understand that there is no 100% protection option, but there is practical experience on how to reduce the likelihood of a bite.
There is a danger that you will purchase a fake and not a means of protection. In this case Processing option 2 may work if one of the remedies is genuine.
It is advisable to buy products from trusted points of sale, as well as quality manufacturers based on reviews at a given time.

• The dog should not be washed three days before and two days after treatment.
• Mark each treatment on your calendar so you don't miss the next one.

Frontline - spray. Processing option - 1. [recommend]
We use the tool: Frontline - spray
Frequency of processing: Once every 25 days
Processing technology:
- 3 milliliters per kilogram of weight for smooth-haired dogs (smooth-haired dachshunds, pointers, shorthaired pointers; 4.5 ml/kg for short-haired breeds (setters, hounds); and 6 ml/kg for long-haired and thick-haired dogs (langhaars, huskies);
- subsequent two-day detention in conditions that prevent getting wet (do not wash, do not get exposed to rain).

How to treat a dog against ticks with a spray

If you treat your dog against ticks with a spray, the dog is sprayed evenly against the direction of hair growth. The entire coat is processed, including those on the head, neck, chest and belly. It is important to cover the animal’s eyes with your free hand.

Collar + drops on the withers. Processing option - 2.
We buy a collar and drops for the withers in accordance with the weight of the dog.
The main thing is that the active substance in them was from different groups to avoid overdose. There is an option that the active components of the collar and drops, when interacting, will lead to allergies. Look for combinations that have already proven themselves.
Purchasing collars and drops from different manufacturers can complement and enhance protection (but may also increase the risk of allergies).
Collars– contain insoluble compounds of long-term action, which gradually transfer to wool. They begin to act after a few days, when the substance is distributed.
The collar must be worn constantly without taking it off.
We drop drops from the withers and along the back.
After 25-30 days we repeat everything.

Drops on the withers. Processing option - 3.
We treat the dog with drops on the withers, but we can increase the dosage.
The essence of the method is that if your dog weighs 8 kg, the manufacturer provides protection for dogs weighing 2-10 kg. That is, it makes sense to use protection for dogs from: 11 to ... kg.

That is, the next largest range by mass. This often greatly increases protection. It is important to understand that the dog is not allergic to this drug.
To do this, process for the first time in accordance with the instructions for weight. If everything is well tolerated, you can try increasing the dosage.
You need to be careful with individual tolerance.

How to treat a dog for ticks photo

Visually mark several areas along the dog's withers (between its shoulder blades) and treat each area sequentially. To do this, use a comb or hand to spread the fur so that the skin is visible. In this area, distribute the product evenly, drop by drop, so that it is absorbed into the skin and does not flow down the coat. Avoid places where your pet can reach to lick its fur.

How to treat a dog for ticks photo

Method of treating a dog with drops against ticks and fleas - Video

It's up to you to decide how to treat your dog against ticks - but treating the infestation is very expensive.

Going out into the forest or dangerous area - it is possible to additionally treat the dog with spray if the previous treatment period is more than 20 days.

Additional protection for your dog against bloodsuckers (mosquitoes, fleas...)

Directions for use— apply 3 days before treatment or 3 days after treatment against ticks. Follow the instructions for the drug.

Checking your dog for ticks after a walk

It is recommended to examine the dog daily (especially after visiting places where ticks are likely to live), especially the neck, ears, axillary folds, groin, anal area and interdigital spaces.
Groom the dog.
If the fur is thick, then feel the dog for the presence of tubercles and lumps. Examine suspicious finds.

What does a tick look like (there are thousands of species, but in general they look like the picture)

Tick ​​before bite - flat

What does a tick look like when it bites a dog?

Tick ​​after a dog bite - sucks blood

If your dog is bitten by a tick. A tick has been detected, what should you do?

What to pay attention to when removing ticks
- Take measures for your own safety. Do not pick up the tick with your hands. Wash your hands after handling ticks.
— The tick must be pulled out without leaving its parts in the victim’s body, that is, without tearing it.
— How to remove a tick? When removing, try your best not to increase the flow of contaminated saliva. Pressing on the tick increases the transmission of infection to the victim.

- Under no circumstances try to crush an insect, especially with your fingers - the blood of an infected tick is no less dangerous than its saliva. There is a danger of infection.
— Do not pull the tick out of the victim’s body, slowly unscrew it.
— Remove the tick, if possible, place it in a jar for further testing in the laboratory for the presence of infection. Or burn it.

Tools and accessories for tick removal

How to remove ticks on dogs using a special extractor

It is convenient to remove ticks with curved tweezers or a surgical clamp; in principle, any other tweezers will do. In this case, the tick needs to be grabbed as close to the proboscis as possible, then it is gently pulled and at the same time rotated around its axis in a convenient direction. Usually, after 1-3 turns, the entire tick is removed along with the proboscis. If you try to pull the tick out, there is a high probability of it breaking.

Nowadays, special devices are widely used to remove ticks from both people and animals. Most often this is a hook similar to a curved two-pronged fork. The plier is inserted between the teeth and then unscrewed.
These devices have an advantage over clamps or tweezers, since the body of the tick is not compressed and the risk of contracting tick-borne infections is somewhat reduced.

Video explaining how to remove ticks with the Anti-Tick tool and its analogues

Option How to remove a tick tick removal

Unscrew the tick without squeezing the “carcass”

Treatment of a wound after a tick in a dog

It is very important after removing the tick to make sure that no part of it remains in the animal's body. If you cannot do this yourself, contact a veterinary clinic.
Treatment of the wound after a tick bite on a dog is carried out with an antiseptic solution. But you need to be careful not to burn the animal's skin.
How to treat a tick bite on a dog?
The wound after a bite can be treated with brilliant green, ethyl alcohol, iodine, hydrogen peroxide.

Will a treated dog get sick after a tick bite?

People often ask: “Will a treated dog get sick after a tick bite?”
It is important to understand that dogs are treated in order to avoid a bite and repel ticks.
If a tick bites, it has done its “dirty” job. Now you need to observe the dog’s behavior and check whether alarming symptoms have occurred.

Symptoms of a dog getting sick after a tick bite

Time of onset of symptoms after a tick bite:

The likelihood that a dog will get sick after a tick bite depends on many factors, such as the region, the epidemiological situation - but in general it is not high.
However, you always need to be on your guard.
The time it takes for symptoms to appear after a tick bite depends on the size of the breed and the dog's immunity. The dangerous period usually occurs after 1-3 days, but the disease can manifest itself within 2-3 weeks.

Symptoms that should alert you, signs of a tick bite:
- lethargy;
— the dog is not active during the walk;
- complete or partial refusal to eat;
- the temperature is rising;
- the mucous membrane of the mouth and the whites of the eyes began to change color and acquire a yellowish tint - this is one of the signs that the dog has developed piroplasmosis;
- urine darkens, brownish or red

Remember - a tick can bite drink blood and fall away. You won't even notice it! Monitor your dog’s well-being and behavior and react in time!

It is important to understand that even if you do not find a tick on your dog, but you observe symptoms that are similar to the consequences of a bite, react immediately according to the following scheme:
— temperature measurement;
— veterinary clinic;
— analysis for piroplasmosis;
- diagnosis;
- treatment .

Normal temperature for dogs, pay attention to the category your dog belongs to:

• Small breed dog puppies – 38.6⁰C-39.3⁰C
• Medium breed dog puppies – 38.3⁰ C – 39.1⁰ C
• Large breed dog puppies – 38.2⁰ C – 39.0⁰ C
• Adult dogs of small breeds – 38.5⁰ C – 39.0⁰ C
• Adult dogs of medium breeds - 37.5⁰ C; -39.0⁰ C
• Adult large breed dogs – 37.4⁰ C – 38.3⁰ C

If you notice these symptoms, run to the vet. Every minute is worth its weight in gold!!!

Symptoms of various diseases, results of a tick bite:

PYROPLASMOSIS or babesiosis is the most common disease of dogs, which is transmitted by ticks. The causative agent is various types of Babesia that destroy red blood cells. It is not dangerous for humans. Characteristic symptoms: the dog is lethargic after a tick bite, refuses food due to thirst. Jaundice appears, the temperature rises, shortness of breath and gastrointestinal disorders develop, insufficiency of the functions of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and other organs. Typically, the urine is dark-colored—almost black, brownish, or red.

BARTONELLOSIS – damage to macrophages, erythrocytes and endothelial cells by bacteria of the genus Bartonella. Manifestations of the disease are very diverse, from carriage for several years to sudden death without any signs of illness. The most common symptoms of this disease in dogs when bitten by a tick include: fever, weakness of the hind limbs, inflammation of the joints, anemia, drowsiness, weight loss, various heart and vascular ailments, inflammation of the eyelids. Possible nosebleeds, hemorrhages in the eyeballs, skin vasculitis, pulmonary edema, meningitis. Some types of Bartonella are dangerous to humans.

Dr. symptoms:
Monocytic ehrlichiosis: weight loss, hemorrhages in the eyeballs, mucous membranes, skin, nosebleeds, severe weakness, anemia, shortness of breath. Hematuria (blood in the urine) is observed, the number of leukocytes and platelets in the blood is reduced.

Granulocytic ehrlichiosis: against the background of fever, severe weakness, convulsions, inflamed eyelids, joint pain. There is an enlargement of the liver and spleen, the protein content in the urine is increased, and the number of platelets and albumin in the blood is reduced.

A dog’s inactive behavior after a tick bite develops after 2-3 weeks: the pet constantly lies down, does not want to play, and reacts inhibited to the owner. But in some cases, the disease proceeds hidden, which over time leads to severe damage to the eyes, bone marrow, joints, blood vessels, spleen, liver and other organs.

If a dog is bitten by a tick carrier, the consequences may appear within a couple of weeks: fever, stiff gait, swollen lymph nodes, cardiac dysfunction, general weakness, apathy, poor appetite. But more often, dogs suffer for years from sluggish chronic inflammation of the joints, blood vessels, tissues of internal organs, neurological disorders, etc., without clear symptoms of borreliosis.

Unfortunately, all of these diseases are deadly. And even with timely treatment, they often lead to serious consequences - chronic dysfunction of the affected organs, joint diseases, neurological changes, etc. If you notice these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately! Insist on testing using the PCR method - this is the only way to make a 100% correct diagnosis. Ask your doctor about your dog's diet after a tick bite, because... in almost all cases a recovery diet is required.

Actions to take if you suspect a disease after a tick bite

Self-treatment after a tick bite
If you are unable to see a veterinarian and are aware of what you are doing, you can give an intramuscular injection.
The most common drugs: veriben, berynyl, azidine
In this case, you need to remember:
— Strictly observe the dosage and follow the instructions for the drug;
- The drugs are toxic. After the injection, a complex of supportive therapy is needed (depending on the severity of the dog’s general condition, includes: droppers, cardiac medications, renal decoctions, drugs for restoring red blood cells, etc.), since the causative agent of piraplasmosis migrates with the bloodstream throughout the dog’s body and destroys internal organs.
— Very often side effects occur, so if possible, you should go to the veterinarian in the future
- Do not give an injection for prevention, it is toxic!

If you suspect that your dog is sick after a tick bite, run to the vet.
Every minute is worth its weight in gold!!!

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How to use tick repellents correctly

TICK AND FLEA TREATMENT

Ixodid ticks carry piroplasmosis (babesiosis) and tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease).
Fleas are a source of infection with tapeworms (dipylidiasis).
Mosquitoes can transmit leishmaniasis and dirofilariasis (heartworms).

Getting rid of fleas is not difficult - treatment with modern drugs protects against infection for up to six months.
Mosquitoes are a big problem, but, fortunately, diseases transmitted by them are quite rare in the middle zone. The likelihood of infection is higher in the southern regions of Russia. Therefore, when going on vacation with your dog, check the epidemiological situation and treat the dog with appropriate medications in advance.
Ticks are the main enemy and headache for all dog owners.

Ixodid ticks are ubiquitous and are infested with piroplasma on a massive scale. There are no remedies for them that provide a 100% guarantee of reliability! The problem is that highly toxic compounds that cause guaranteed death of the tick also harm the dog itself. In addition, some substances have the ability to gradually accumulate in the body. And you have to protect yourself from ticks for at least 6 months a year! When choosing a drug, you have to balance between reliability and toxicity. Therefore, be sure to look at what active substance is used. If the manufacturer does not indicate the composition, do not buy! Carefully read the manufacturer's instructions, and do not take advice from friends on walks!

What to choose - drops on the withers, spray or collar?

It all depends on the specific situation. With a high concentration of ticks, for greater reliability, you can combine drops and spray, or spray and collar. The main thing is that the active substance in them is from different groups in order to avoid an overdose.
Sprays begin to act immediately after treatment.
Drops on the withers should be absorbed into the skin and distributed over it, this usually takes at least a day.

FRONTLINE SPOT ON drops (Merial, France) – active ingredient fipronil

FRONTLINE spray (Merial, France) – active ingredient fipronil

PRAK-TIK drops (Novartis Animal Health, Germany) – active ingredient pyriprole

ADVANTIX drops (Bayer, Germany) – active ingredients imidacloprid and permethrin

BOLFO spray (Bayer, Germany) – active ingredient propoxur

HARTZ drops (HARTZ, USA) – active ingredient phenothrin

BLOKHNET drops (Astrapharm, Russia) – active ingredients fipronil, benzyl benzoate, dimethyl phthalate

BLOKHNET spray (Astrapharm, Russia) – active ingredients fipronil, benzyl benzoate, diethyltoluamide, juvemon

BARS drops (Agrovetzashchita, Russia) – active ingredient fipronil

BARS spray (Agrovetzaschita, Russia) – active ingredient fipronil

DANA drops (Api-San, Russia) – active ingredient diazinon

DANA spray (Api-San, Russia) – active ingredient permethrin

ROLF CLUB drops (NPF “Ekoprom”, Russia) – active ingredients fipronil, pyriproxyfen

ROLF CLUB spray (NPF “Ekoprom”, Russia) – active ingredients fipronil, pyriproxyfen

CLEANITY drops (NPF “Ekoprom”, Russia) – active ingredients fipronil, permethrin

CLEANITY spray (NPF “Ekoprom”, Russia) – active ingredient permethrin

VECTRA 3D drops (Ceva Sante Animale, France) – active ingredients dinotefuran, permethrin, pyriproxyfen

For puppies, pregnant and lactating bitches, FRONTLINE SPOT ON drops are usually used on the withers, as they are slightly toxic to mammals. I treat it once every four weeks if the dogs don’t bathe, or every three weeks if they do. I treat adult dogs that have no contraindications with BLOCHNET drops every four weeks. Additionally, I spray with DANA spray before each “dangerous” walk - in the forest, in the fields. And, of course, after every walk I carefully examine the dogs, since fipronil does not repel ticks - they crawl out of the fur, wander through it, but do not bite. Permethrin repels well, but treating a Labrador completely, “without holes,” and even once every two weeks, is hard work. In addition, permethrin is washed off with water. A morning walk in the dew, an afternoon swim in the lake... and I no longer know how protected my dogs are. Therefore, I only use it in combination with drops. The combination of two active ingredients - fipronil and permethrin, gives, from my point of view, the best result.

Collars contain long-lasting insoluble compounds that gradually transfer to the fur. They begin to act after a few days, when the substance is distributed. The collar must be worn constantly without taking it off.

KILTIX (Bayer, Germany) – active ingredients propaxur and flumethrin
SKALIBOR (MSD Animal Health/Intervet LLC, Russia) – active ingredient deltamethrin
BEAFAR (Beaphar, Holland) – active ingredient diazinon

BOLFO (Bayer, Germany) – active ingredient propaxur

I don't use collars for the following reasons.
First, I don’t have one dog, but several. In games, they chew and lick each other, grab collars with their teeth - there is a high probability of poisoning. (In families with small children, it is also impossible to keep track of whether they touched the collar or washed their hands after that...)
The second reason is that directly under the collar the concentration of the toxic substance is especially high, which causes skin problems. Of course, this is very individual and depends on the dog’s sensitivity, but it is not uncommon.
The third reason is that collars smell strongly.

The first (spring) treatment against ticks should be carried out as soon as the “plus” night temperature has established.

The dog should not be washed three days before and two days after treatment.

Mark each treatment on your calendar so you don't miss the next one.

If you combine products (drops + spray), treat with the second product no earlier than 10 days after the first.

After each walk, inspect your dog and destroy any ticks found.

If the dog is dark and ticks are difficult to see, comb the fur with a fine comb.

If, despite the measures taken, the dog is bitten by a tick, carefully monitor its well-being for three weeks. At the first signs of lethargy, refusal to eat, you need to measure the rectal temperature, and if it is elevated (the norm is 38.4 - 39.0) - go to the vet immediately. clinic and do a test for the presence of Babesia in the blood. With timely treatment, piroplasmosis is curable, but every hour of delay reduces the chances of a successful outcome!

Spring-summer-autumn, time for mandatory treatment of dogs against ticks!

Why are treatments not always effective?

When there are cases of piroplasmosis in my kennel, I always ask the owners in detail how and with what the dogs were treated. An interesting pattern emerges - almost always either the deadlines or the rules for using drugs were violated. Therefore, I would like to remind you once again how to properly treat your dog against ticks with drops.

1) 3 days before treatment, the dog should not be washed, not bathed, but rather washed with detergents. Why? Because the fatty layer, in which the protective agent should actually be distributed, is washed off

2) You cannot bathe for 2 days after treatment. Why? Because the protective agent must be distributed throughout the fatty layer covering the dog’s fur, and this takes time.

3) Drops should be applied to the skin (not to the fur), pointwise! Do not pour the entire pipette in one place, but distribute it drop by drop along the back, starting from the back of the dog’s head to the middle of the lower back.

4) Drops must be stored correctly - in a dark place, at a temperature from 0 to 35 degrees. Therefore, it is very important to buy drugs in trusted places where storage conditions are met and where there is no chance of purchasing a counterfeit.

5) Write down processing times! You cannot rely on memory; even one missed day can be fatal. Frontline Spot drops last for 3 weeks if the dog bathes regularly or 4 weeks if the dog does not bathe. Follow these deadlines!

6) After each walk, inspect the dog and remove crawling ticks from it. Drops of ticks do not repel ticks, they seem to “make the dog not tasty.” Therefore, there is time to collect them and destroy them.

How to protect your dog from ticks

Almost all owners have heard that ticks are dangerous for dogs. Not everyone knows what the dangers are, what they cause and how to properly protect your dog from ticks. Here are some misconceptions of owners that we encounter in the process of work:

That ticks cause the disease encephalitis in dogs,
- that it is enough to put drops on the withers once at the beginning of spring and the dog will be protected for the entire period,
- that a tick can only be “caught” in the forest, and since we don’t go into the forest, then there is no need to treat the dog,
- that if you find a tick on a dog, you need to urgently administer serum like in humans or start treatment.

In this article we will try to sort everything out.

1. After each walk, the dog must be examined and felt with your fingers, especially with thick hair, and especially carefully the head, neck, chest and groin, in order to detect and remove the tick as early as possible. Ticks attack dogs not only in the forest or park, as some dog breeders mistakenly believe, but also in yards and squares.

2. If a tick is found, it must be removed. It is better to do this at the veterinary clinic. The place where the head of a female tick turns into the abdomen is very tender and easily tears, so you cannot pull the tick by the abdomen, you can simply tear it off, the head and legs will remain in the skin, it is very difficult to remove them and, as a rule, a local inflammatory process begins. You need to remove the tick with a special device (can be bought at a veterinary pharmacy) or tweezers using a twisting motion. To protect yourself, wear gloves because... It is not known what kind of “filling” this tick has – whether it is dangerous for a dog or a person. After removal, the wound must be treated with an antiseptic, for example, iodine. Ticks do not sink in water and are practically impossible to dry out. You should not try to crush them - this may lead to the spread of the infection they carry. The best way to kill a tick is to burn it.

3. The moment of infection with piroplasmosis does not occur immediately at the moment of the bite, as they write in some articles on the Internet, but only on the second day, when the female drinks blood and squeezes back the liquid (unnecessary) part of the blood, then the piroplasm from the salivary glands of the tick is under pressure (like a syringe) and enter the dog’s blood. Therefore, it is unlikely that a newly attached tick, with its abdomen still unfilled, will cause disease.

4. Next, you need to very carefully monitor the dog’s condition and measure body temperature rectally every day. The fact is that not all ticks are carriers of piroplasmosis; a “healthy” tick can also attack a dog. And, as a rule, before clinical signs of the disease appear, piroplasms are not detected in the blood. The first signs for which you should immediately consult a doctor are: an increase in body temperature above 39.5 degrees, lethargy, refusal to eat, the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth are pale or yellowish, urine with blood or a dark color, weakness of the hind limbs, may have diarrhea. The destruction of red blood cells occurs in the body, which affects all organs, primarily the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, and pancreas. Owners make a big mistake when, seeing such manifestations, they do not go to the clinic, but carry out symptomatic treatment at home in the form of antipyretics, treats to increase appetite, etc.

5. A very important point is urgent, or timely contact with a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The earlier the disease is detected and treatment is started, the greater the likelihood that the pet will recover, in a short time (for example, 3 days) and for less money. There are often cases when owners do not understand the danger of the disease, wait several days and come to the appointment when it is already difficult for doctors to save the dog.

6. An accurate diagnosis can only be made using a blood smear from peripheral small vessels. As a rule, a drop of blood is taken on glass from the ear, rarely from the claw. In our clinic, the analysis is ready immediately at the appointment in 15-20 minutes. In the photo - in the erythrocyte there are 2 pear-shaped formations of purple color - these are piroplasms.

8. Chronic course. In a chronic course, all of the listed symptoms are blurred. And it is not always possible to immediately determine the cause of the disease. After contracting piroplasmosis, 80% of dogs are carriers of piroplasma (depot in the spleen); there are no clinical signs. Stable immunity against piroplasms is not developed, so the animal can get sick again and again. There are cases where, for example, a dog suffered from piroplasmosis for two years in a row and received treatment; in the third year the disease was again confirmed in the laboratory, but the owners refused treatment; the dog, fortunately, recovered. But this is the exception rather than the rule.

9. Prevention. For prevention, the veterinary drug market offers: drops on the withers, sprays, collars, and since 2009, the Pirodog vaccine (Merial company, France) has appeared in our country. The effects of external preparations differ in: repellent (repellent sprays), contact (ticks die upon contact with treated hair and skin) and protection against infection with piroplasmosis, but do not protect against tick attacks.

1) Drops on the withers(spot-on). Drops on the withers against ticks and fleas are now on sale in a large selection. There are imported and domestic ones, they have different active ingredients, different periods of protection against ticks and fleas, the price ranges from 25 to 700 rubles. The most important condition is to carry out the treatments correctly and in a timely manner, i.e. if the packaging says that the drops protect against ticks for 4 weeks, then you need to observe an interval of 4 weeks, and not 4.5 or 5 or more, because even a few days that the dog remains unprotected can lead to piroplasmosis. Another important point is to buy pipettes strictly according to the dog’s weight, apply directly to the skin, and do not bathe the dog 3 days before and after treatment. Always read carefully the instructions for anti-tick medications - what weight the pipette is designed for, how long protection is guaranteed, at what age and weight of a puppy or dog the drug can be used, and whether it is suitable for pregnant and lactating bitches (!).

The drops are convenient and easy to use, and can be easily selected for a dog’s specific weight.

– Frontline spot-on (France) – the manufacturer guarantees protection against ticks of 95% and against fleas of 100%, subject to all treatment conditions, does not have a repellent effect, so there is no need to be afraid that ticks can attack the dog, it protects against infection with piroplasmosis . When a female tick drinks blood containing the active substance fipronil, she dies without having time to squeeze back the liquid part of the blood and release piroplasm into the dog’s blood. Fipronil is absolutely safe for dogs, does not cause allergies, and is non-toxic. Frontline can be used on pregnant and lactating bitches, as well as puppies from 2 months of age and starting with a puppy/dog weight of 2 kg (up to 2 months, even from birth, and up to 2 kg Frontline spray is suitable). The manufacturing company Merial was the first in the world to use purified fipronil; it has conducted and continues to conduct a lot of research on its products and values ​​its reputation.

– Rolf Club, Praktik (Germany), Mister Bruno, Fiprex – generic drugs created on the basis of fipronil after the discovery of Frontline, manufacturers did not need to conduct research and confirmation, because they followed the beaten path and the effectiveness of such drugs was declared to be 80% .

– Hartz (USA), Advantix, Dana (Russia), Celandine (Russia) – preparations based on permethrins or organophosphorus compounds – have a contact effect, i.e. The tick dies upon contact with the animal's fur. Disadvantage - they are easily washed off with water (dew, rain, puddles, ponds), not suitable for pregnant and lactating dogs, sick and weakened dogs, as well as puppies under 6-8 weeks of age. It is better to use such drops more often than what is written on the package.

– Stronghold, Advocate, Advantage drops DO NOT PROTECT against ticks

2) Sprays.Sprays are also based on different substances: fipronil (Frontline) and pyrethroids (Dana, Celandine, Bolfo-spray).

– Frontline spray is convenient to use for puppies under 2 months of age and weighing less than 2 kg, for smooth-haired small dogs, for hairless dogs, and also as additional protection to Frontline spot-on drops for treating open areas of the body (ears, jowls) , belly, between the toes) for dogs that like to bathe frequently or, for example, hunting dogs. In this case, there will be no overdose of fipronil, guaranteed by the manufacturer. The meaning of protection is the same as that of Frontline spot-on drops. It is not recommended for use in large (too high consumption), thick-haired dogs (difficult to reach the skin), because the animal should be wet from the drug when properly treated.

– Sprays based on pyrethroids – must be applied 1-2 times a week (see instructions), sprayed against hair growth, avoiding contact with eyes, mouth, nose, this must be done outdoors (since inhaled vapors are toxic!), cannot be used puppies under 6 weeks of age, pregnant, lactating, sick, weakened animals, avoid licking the drug after treatment by the animal itself or other animals.

When owners have complaints that “the drug is not working,” this can mean two things:

a) the owner and his animal are included in the remaining 100 percent guaranteed by drug manufacturers (for example, the manufacturer’s guarantee is 80%, then you are included in the remaining 20), subject to compliance with all rules and processing times.

b) the owner carries out the treatments incorrectly - the first treatment is carried out not at the beginning of spring, but later, the interval between treatments is not observed, one pipette is dripped onto several animals in order to save money, the dog is bathed, it swims in natural springs or gets exposed to rain for 3 days before or after treatment with drops or sprays, or taken for a walk immediately after applying the drops. For example, abroad all vaccinations, treatments against worms, as well as treatments against fleas and ticks are carried out only by a veterinarian, and “incorrect” or untimely treatments are simply excluded.

3) Collars. The collars are impregnated with drugs that create a protective cloud around the dog (repellent effect), and also spread through the coat and sebaceous glands, providing contact protection. The service life of the collar is 5-7 months, it must be worn without taking it off so that there is constant contact with the fur and skin, and not as an accessory for a walk. Although many collars say that they are waterproof, if your dog bathes frequently, it is better to change the collar before the specified time. It should not be used by pregnant, lactating, sick or weakened animals, puppies under 2 months of age, and some, for example, Beafar, can only be used from 6 months of age. May cause local irritation upon contact with skin in the neck area.

Some owners play it safe and use drops and a collar for protection at the same time. It is better not to do this, because when mixing two drugs from different groups, something third is obtained on the skin, it is unknown how it affects the animal’s body, and it is quite capable of causing an allergic reaction or intoxication.

4) The Pirodog vaccine (Merial, France) was developed to create immunity in dogs against piroplasmosis, the vaccine effectiveness is 76-80%. Vaccination must begin at 5 months of age, when the puppy has already been vaccinated against viral infections. The vaccination is given twice with an interval of 3-4 weeks, revaccination after a year, if the dog is often attacked by ticks - then once every six months. If the dog is a carrier of piroplasma (previously had the disease), then the vaccine can provoke the disease, i.e. manifestation of clinical signs (in this case, standard treatment + treatment with drops is necessary). Pregnant dogs cannot be vaccinated; vaccination cannot be combined with other vaccines (with the exception of vaccines against leptospirosis and rabies).

Many experienced dog breeders have already made their choice in favor of one or another method of protecting their pet from ticks and piroplasmosis. We hope that this article will help novice dog owners make their choice, and will also clarify the existing ideas and beliefs of dog breeders about anti-tick treatments.

Inchina Anna Aleksandrovna, veterinarian at the MEGAvet clinic

How to protect your dog or cat from tick bites? What to do if a tick bites your pet?

Tick-borne encephalitis and tick-borne borreliosis are not dangerous for dogs and cats; they do not suffer from these diseases. For them, ticks are primarily dangerous due to the infectious disease piroplasmosis.

First of all, remember to protect your pet from tick attacks.

Today there is a large selection of different products in the form of sprays, collars and drops on the withers. How do these drugs work, and which one should you choose to protect your pet? And the form of release of the drug, and the quality of the product, and the authority of the company that produces it, matter.

The composition of any form of a protective drug includes an active substance and a filler in which this active substance is dissolved. Drops differ from sprays in the concentration of the active substance per unit volume, and with insectoacaricidal collars both the active substance and the solvent are applied to a special synthetic base in the form of a tape (collar).

Upon contact with the skin after applying drops, sprays or while wearing a collar, due to the lipophilic properties of the filler (the ability to easily dissolve in fats), the insectoacaricide is absorbed into the subcutaneous tissue and accumulates in the sebaceous follicles. From there, along with the secretion, the insectoacaricide is released onto the surface of the skin in small portions for a long time. Therefore, treated animals can be bathed within two to three days.

It should be borne in mind that ticks and other insects can attach to the animal’s fur, but immediately after this the active substances of the protective agent begin to act on them. This leads to a sharp decrease in tick activity, and then to death.
The manufacturer's recommended application regimens for most products are as follows: the drug must be applied to the animal's skin in some way - drops and sprays are distributed at several points once every two to four weeks, and the active substance from the collars is gradually absorbed into the skin while it is worn.

However, with this method of application, the highest concentration of the protective substance is created in the immediate vicinity of the animal’s skin, and very unevenly. This is quite enough to protect against fleas, lice and lice. But for more “tenacious” ixodid ticks, additional protection is required in the form of daily application of a spray to the animal’s fur. This is especially true for long-haired dogs and cats.

Based on this, the most effective means of protection are insectoacaricidal sprays, used according to the following scheme: basic treatment by applying a spray to the skin once every few weeks, in the amount recommended by the manufacturer, plus daily spraying of a small amount on the animal’s fur.

For example, “Frontline” spray, 250 ml of the French company “Merial” or its analogue “Fipron” spray, 250 ml of the Czech company “Biovetta” is recommended to be used as follows: once every three to four weeks, at the rate of four presses of the distribution head per one kilogram of live weight of the animal, sprayed onto the skin of the animal - as a basic treatment (the spray distribution head has two positions - for jet application and spraying), plus daily spraying on the fur (two to six presses of the distribution head are enough).

There are no other preventive means of preventing infection with piroplasmosis: to date, neither a vaccine nor serum (immunoglobulin) against this disease has been invented. It’s worth mentioning right away that the listed insectoacarizid agents, even with daily use, do not protect one hundred percent from tick attacks, so an additional examination of the animal after a walk will not hurt.

What to do if, despite all the measures taken, the dog is still bitten by a tick?

You should not remove a tick with your bare hands (use tweezers, gloves, etc. - the main thing is to avoid contact with the tick on your skin and mucous membranes - there is a danger of contracting other diseases that are already dangerous to humans.

It is convenient to remove ticks with curved tweezers or a surgical clamp; in principle, any other tweezers will do. In this case, the tick needs to be grabbed as close to the proboscis as possible, then it is carefully pulled up, while rotating around its axis in a convenient direction. Usually, after 1-3 turns, the entire tick is removed along with the proboscis. If you try to pull the tick out, there is a high probability of it breaking.

There are special devices for removing ticks.

These devices have an advantage over clamps or tweezers, since the body of the tick is not compressed, squeezing the contents of the tick into the wound is avoided - reduces the risk of contracting tick-borne infections.

If you are unable to remove the tick yourself, contact a veterinarian.

Secondly, pay attention to the general condition and behavior of your pet: lethargy, refusal to feed, an increase in body temperature to 39.5-410 C, change in the color of urine - any of these symptoms is a reason to contact the clinic.

But if you receive an offer to give your dog a “tick injection” (this is the usual wording of both dog owners and “persons of para-veterinary passion”), then think carefully before accepting this help. Human viral encephalitis immunoglobulin is in no way suitable for the prevention or treatment of piroplasmosis. In addition, the use of this drug, which is very non-specific for animals, will not only bring no benefit, but can also seriously allerge the dog’s body (and cause significant damage to your wallet through pointless spending).

There is also no need to rush into administering a specific antipyroplasmid drug, such as veriben or azidine. On the one hand, these drugs are extremely toxic (in fact, they are poisons), on the other hand, their effect does not last long. Therefore, if the tick that has bitten an animal turns out to be uninfected (and on average 3 to 14 percent of insects are infected with piroplasms), then with the so-called preventive therapy you will deal a heavy blow to the entire body, to the liver and immune system in the first place.

If the worst happens, and a couple of days after the tick bite you notice something wrong in the dog’s behavior, immediately go to the clinic. Piroplasmosis is a rapidly developing disease: only a few days can pass from the appearance of the first clinical signs (often unspecific) to severe toxic damage to the body (or even death).

At the veterinary clinic, in addition to conducting a clinical examination, your pet must be tested for piroplasmosis. A drop of blood for a smear is taken from the dog’s ear (not from a vein!) - it is in the peripheral vessels that the largest amount of piroplasms is deposited. The diagnosis of piroplasmosis is considered established only after its laboratory confirmation. If laboratory diagnostics are not carried out, then even if the classic triad of symptoms characteristic of piroplasmosis appears: hyperthermia (high temperature), hematuria (“bloody urine”) and ectericity (jaundice) - no doctor is immune from fatal errors.

Therapy for piroplasmosis should not be limited to only a course of a specific anti-pyroplasmosis drug. Such limited treatment is fraught with the development of a host of chronic diseases in the future. Moreover, a dog can become infected more than once: immunity is not formed after an illness.

As already noted, with piroplasmosis, the kidneys, liver and hematopoietic system are primarily affected, on which the state of immunity largely depends. And if kidney-hepatic problems are usually not forgotten, then not all veterinary specialists remember about the total immunodeficiency that accompanies piroplasmosis, which arises as a result of the combined toxic effect of piroplasms and poisons introduced to destroy these same piroplasms.

Moreover, in this case, not every immunostimulant is suitable for correction. First of all, it should be a drug that stimulates hematopoiesis (i.e., the production of new red and white blood cells in the blood depots) in the most effective way and, at the same time, activates existing cells of the immune system.

The most modern product that meets these requirements is RONKOLEYKIN® (IL-2), produced by BIOTECH LLC (St. Petersburg). The use of this immunomodulatory drug in the complex therapy of piroplasmosis will not only facilitate the fight against the disease itself, but will also help to avoid unwanted complications after treatment.

Tools and accessories for tick removal

It is convenient to remove ticks with curved tweezers or a surgical clamp; in principle, any other tweezers will do. In this case, the tick needs to be grabbed as close to the proboscis as possible, then it is gently pulled and at the same time rotated around its axis in a convenient direction. Usually, after 1-3 turns, the entire tick is removed along with the proboscis. If you try to pull the tick out, there is a high probability of it breaking.

Currently, industry, including Russian industry, has launched the production of special devices for removing ticks from both people and animals. Most often this is a hook similar to a curved two-pronged fork. The plier is inserted between the teeth and then unscrewed.

These devices have an advantage over clamps or tweezers, since the body of the tick is not compressed and the risk of contracting tick-borne infections is somewhat reduced.

Tick ​​Twister (TICK TWISTER) - a hook for removing ticks. Externally, the device looks like a small nail puller. The kit includes two hooks for removing large and small ticks. The tick is grabbed from the side, slightly pulled and twisted.

After a couple of days, I noticed an improvement in the dog’s condition. In this article you will learn: how to rid your dog of fleas, what to do when they appear, what are the symptoms of the presence of insects, and what to do for prevention.

How to rid a dog of fleas - an overview of methods

How to get rid of fleas on a dog and end the animal's suffering? The best way to remove fleas from a dog: using folk remedies or using medications. Which flea remedy for dogs is more effective and can they be combined for an even better result?

A flea bite is not only unpleasant for an animal, but can also cause infection with some kind of disease that the flea will suffer after biting another infected animal. In general, it’s better to just do prevention and remove fleas on time.

Folk remedies

The banal flea comb is an invention as old as time that has not lost its relevance to this day. All you need is a bowl of soapy water and a flea comb. Brush your dog thoroughly wherever possible.

Particular attention should be paid to the back and stomach. After each pass of the comb through the fur, soak it in soapy water to ensure that the soap kills all fleas and eggs.

After this, give the dog a bath. To rid your dog of fleas using folk remedies, you can make your own bathing shampoo.

If you don’t want to fool yourself with traditional methods, then just buy flea shampoo for dogs at VETapteka. Often they help not only in the fight against fleas, but also, for example, ticks.

How to make your own flea treatment for dogs

Making a flea remedy yourself is not that difficult, and the price of the final product is quite low. This soap should be used as shampoo while bathing.

The following ingredients should be present in every shampoo. In general, there should only be a few drops of each oil:

• Cedar or other oil with a high content of vitamin E. It should be added at about 2%.
• Castor oil. Put no more than 2-3% of the total mass of soap.
• Essential oils should make up 3-4% of the total mass, but you can add a little less to start with.

All written recipes can be used without adding to liquid soap.

Just mix the right ingredients and, after bathing, use as directed.

1. The first recipe. Mix lavender, cedarwood and eucalyptus oils in equal proportions with the soap base.
2. The second recipe. With the same soap base, mix lavender oil, tea tree oil, and cedarwood essential oil in equal proportions. This is truly a nuclear treatment for dogs against ticks and fleas!
3. Recipe three. Take one part lavender, citronella and tea tree, which can be used either alone or mixed with soap base.
4. Recipe four. In a soap base, mix cedar oil, tea tree oil and two parts eucalyptus.

It is better not to use mint instead of eucalyptus.

What properties do oils have?

Mint not only gives a pleasant smell, but also causes a lot of trouble for fleas.

Eucalyptus can not only provide a good smell, but also kill harmful microorganisms and is also a repellent. Some dogs may be allergic to the products listed above, so either reduce the dosage of oils or contact your veterinarian.

What to do after swimming

• 500 ml water.
• Cedarwood essential oil.
• Lavender essential oil.
• Spray.
• Clean dog.

Pour water into a spray bottle, add cedarwood and lavender essential oils and stir. The resulting composition should be sprayed on the dog’s skin, trying to pay attention to literally every part of the body, especially the back and stomach.

Getting even one drop into your eyes can cause irritation, so it's best to be careful when treating the scalp area. How often should I use this product?

Since essential oils are not durable, your dog needs to be treated with them somewhat more often than with conventional medications.

What flea remedy for dogs - buy

1. Shampoo.

The shampoo can provide protection against fleas for up to 10-15 days. It must be used when bathing, and protection against fleas is rather a pleasant side effect, since after bathing you will still need to apply the product.

Don't bathe your dog every two weeks! By the way, you can use regular baby shampoo.

2. Flea drops and sprays.

Standard post-swim treatments. They can be used without bathing the dog, but the effect, of course, will not be as noticeable. Drops and sprays are equally good, and your challenge will be to find the one that works for your pet.

3. Flea collars.
In any case, look at your pet, it may be worth relying less on the flea collar and doing standard treatment.

That's all. It’s best to simply comb it out with a comb and bathe the animal with shampoo, and then treat it with store-bought/homemade preparations. Also, do not allow your dog to interact with animals that may be potential carriers of fleas.

In any case, you need to monitor your pet and protect it from minor dangers that promise big trouble. If you have already picked up an infection, then try to quickly remove fleas from your dog by following the described set of procedures.
Source: "dressirovka-sobak.com"

Biting pests - how to get rid of them

Every owner wants their beloved pet to be healthy and live a long time. Dogs walking outside face many dangers, including fleas. These are blood-sucking insects. In the process of evolution, they lost the ability to fly.

The problem is that the eggs can be found anywhere the dog has been because they are not attached to the fur.

Signs of a pet having fleas

To make sure that it is flea feces, they conduct a test: water is dripped onto it, and the waste products turn the water red due to the presence of blood in them. Adult fleas are found when you brush your dog against the grain.

Pests mainly live behind the ears, armpits and on the back of the body, although they can settle anywhere on the animal’s skin.

An anxious and irritable dog is a possible symptom of fleas. Moreover, if these qualities are manifested in reserved Akita Inu. You should start treatment only when you are absolutely sure that your pet has fleas.

• One method is to wash the dog using tar soap. This soap is an excellent alternative to industrial shampoos. However, do not overdo it: the soap dries out the delicate dog skin. Especially if it's Yorkie leather.
• A tincture of wormwood is rubbed into the surface of the dog’s body and the floor is treated with a decoction of the plant.
• A bed made of pine sawdust is arranged in the pet's kennel.

How to treat your dog for fleas

The dog bed and its care items must be boiled, because we remember that worm eggs can remain in the animal’s things.

If there are too many pests, it is worth treating the apartment: wash the floors and spray with special products. To treat puppies, use only those products that are intended for their age. Medicines for adult animals can seriously harm babies.

Anti-flea drugs

There are a large number of industrial products for killing fleas:

1. Shampoos

The first variety can quickly and effectively destroy fleas, but it can also cause allergies, redness and irritation.

Natural shampoos heal wounds and improve coat quality. The dog is washed with shampoo and left for five to seven minutes, and then washed thoroughly.

2. Drops

The use of drops is considered the best method of insect control because they have a comprehensive effect. The liquid is applied to the dog’s skin in the area of ​​the withers to avoid the possibility of licking the drug. The active substance enters the bloodstream and rids the animal of insects in two treatments. It is forbidden to use drops to treat puppies, pregnant females and nursing mothers.

3. Sprays

If it is not possible to immediately bathe your dog, then an anti-flea spray will come to the rescue. It is sprayed over the animal's body. It has side effects: it may end up in the pet’s eyes, and the spray may be licked from the fur.

The animal is treated with a spray in a room with access to air, using rubber gloves. The dog should not be wet for two hours after the procedure. Possible side effects: vomiting, difficulty breathing, dermatitis.

4. Chewable tablets

The use of tablets is not common among dog owners. The drug is mixed with food in a dosage corresponding to the numbers indicated in the instructions. Tablets can provoke allergies and harm the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.

5. Collars

Collars are suitable both as a preventive measure and as a treatment measure. One collar can be used for four months, after which it is worth purchasing another. This method of fighting is very convenient. However, collars are toxic and can cause various adverse reactions. Contraindicated in puppies, pregnant females and dogs nursing pups.

To prevent fleas from occurring on your pet, you should follow several rules. You need to keep the apartment and entrance clean. Domestic dogs should not be allowed to interact with strays. You can also take care of mongrels by treating them with available flea products.

After all, homeless individuals are no different from domestic ones, they are also alive, they also experience great discomfort from the presence of fleas. It is worth showing humanity and helping the unfortunate dogs.

In the summer, it is necessary to preventively treat pets with drops and use collars. Following simple rules will help you avoid infecting your beloved animals with fleas. Early detection of insects will increase the likelihood of rapid healing.
Source: "tvoidrug.com"

How to rid a dog of fleas using folk remedies - in a short period of time

The most important thing in a mechanical procedure is regularity and harmlessness for the pet. To remove fleas, you can buy a special anti-insect comb, which is sold at any pet store.


The effect of the comb is that it is saturated with essential oils with rather unusual odors. Very often, manufacturers use mint, eucalyptus or lavender. In order for the procedure to bring the most positive effect, when combing, pay special attention to the stomach and ears, because these are the most favorite places for fleas.

This is due to the fact that insects are very afraid of water, and when swimming, these places get wet the least. Therefore, after combing, be sure to bathe your dog with shampoo that contains components that destroy fleas.

Is it possible to make anti-flea shampoo at home?

When thinking about what homemade flea remedies for dogs will work best, you can prepare a homemade shampoo that will help you deal with the insects. All substances used in the composition are absolutely natural and have a low price.

Take any essential oil that has a strong scent. For example, you can use lavender or grapefruit oil, or you can take a few drops of both, it definitely won’t make it any worse. Be sure to mix 4 drops of essential oils with the carrier oil.

You can use castor or burdock oil as a base; they have excellent soothing properties.

If you do not use a base, severe burns may appear on your pet's skin, which will only worsen the situation and make the itching after bites even worse. If, while bathing with this shampoo, you notice that your dog immediately begins to itch, then immediately rinse it under plenty of cold water and stop using the product.

Buy soap that comes in liquid form. Pay attention to its composition; the soap should not contain too many chemical elements, as they can be dangerous for the dog. Mix the soap with a solution that contains oils and add a little glycerin to the mixture.

By following all these rules, you will get an excellent anti-flea shampoo.


This product has only one drawback: essential oils are strong allergens, so if after bathing you notice redness in your dog’s skin, then next time add a little more base to the mixture or use other scents as components of the shampoo.

Plants that will help you rid your dog of insects

• Garlic has an excellent repellent smell. Grind it using a special device to obtain a small paste.
• Take wormwood, it works great as a weapon against most crawling and flying insects. Make a decoction with wormwood and add garlic pulp to it.

Tip: Don't use too much product the first time you use it.

Do a test first to make sure your pet is not allergic to a particular product. A mixture of wormwood and garlic should be applied to the pet’s back so that he cannot reach it with his tongue, as this can be dangerous to the animal’s health.

Drops that get rid of fleas

If you are not a supporter of folk remedies, or they do not bring you the desired result, then you can simultaneously combine traditional methods with a drug such as anti-insect drops. The product is absolutely safe and effective, especially when used correctly.

Be sure to tell the store employee if your dog is sick or pregnant. They will select a product that will not cause any harm to your pet. And another advantage of the drops is that they are produced for very small puppies. Drops should only be applied to the ears, tail and belly. Firstly, these are the most common habitats of fleas, and, secondly, the pet will not be able to reach these places with its tongue.
Source: "opklop.ru"

Folk remedies for fleas - in dogs

All this causes discomfort to the animal, which begins to itch until wounds appear, which can become inflamed and infected. You can help your pet get rid of fleas using folk remedies. Fleas are small, blood-sucking insects that are brown or black in color and measure only three to seven millimeters.

It is quite difficult to notice them, especially if the dog or cat has long, thick, dark hair.

If you look closely, you can see on the animal’s body what appear to be small lumps of dirt moving around. Pets can pick up blood-sucking insects while walking. But a domestic cat can also become infected with fleas, the larvae of which were brought from the street on their shoes by its owners.

1. Salmonellosis;
2. Tularemia;
3. Hepatitis;
4. Tifa;
5. Plagues.

Fleas multiply very quickly and move from the animal into the premises, spreading throughout the apartment. They especially love to live and lay eggs in pets' bedding, in carpeting, and in the folds of upholstered furniture.

Treatment rules

1. Accuracy.

Traditional recipes do not contain insecticides, but a sensitive animal or kitten may have allergic reactions to some of them. Therefore, before using the herb or solution, the product should be tested on a small area of ​​your pet’s skin.

2. Regularity.

Homemade solutions are weaker than insecticides, so they require more applications to be effective. Animals will need to be treated with them regularly, without skipping procedures.

Otherwise, new adults will grow from the larvae, which will again begin to cause trouble for the pet.

3. Combing.

After treatment, the pet should be combed with a fine comb. It is best if combing is done daily.

4. An integrated approach.

Uses of wormwood

Ways to use wormwood:

• To prepare a decoction, 40 g of fresh or 20 g of dry wormwood leaves are poured with two glasses of boiling water and boiled for about ten minutes.
When the wormwood decoction becomes warm, it should be spread on the fur of a cat or dog.


After this, you need to try to ensure that the product lasts as long as possible on the pet and is better absorbed into the skin and fur. This procedure must be repeated regularly until fleas or ticks are completely eliminated.

To prepare the product, two tablespoons of dry raw materials are poured with two glasses of boiling water. After half an hour, one hundred grams of planed soap is added to the solution.

• A decoction of tansy and wormwood is famous for its insecticidal effect.

One tablespoon of each raw material is poured into half a liter of boiling water and cooked for about forty minutes. The cooled solution is filtered. The fur of a dog or cat is treated with a warm decoction.

To prevent fleas from falling on the floor when combing, it is recommended to place the pet in a box. For prevention, the floors in the apartment must first be washed with a decoction of wormwood.

DIY anti-flea shampoo

This is a fairly effective remedy for removing fleas and ticks from animals. The shampoo is prepared as follows:

1. A quarter of a piece of baby soap is grated and filled with 350 ml of warm water;
2. The mixture is brought to a jelly-like state over heat;
3. After the jelly has cooled, add chopped onion, egg yolk, and a few drops of nettle infusion.

The resulting infusion should be lathered on the pet and left for twenty minutes. After this, rinse the solution thoroughly, dry and comb the animal.

Garlic in the fight against fleas

• peel and chop three cloves of garlic;
• Pour four cups of boiling water over the garlic pulp and leave overnight;
• Wipe the pet’s fur with the resulting mixture, putting a protective collar on it in advance. In about an hour, the mixture will be absorbed and can be washed off.

A common method of killing blood-sucking insects is a product made from garlic and brewer’s yeast:

1. Seven cloves of garlic are crushed, 700 ml of boiling water is poured in and infused for at least fourteen hours:
2. A pinch of brewer's yeast is added to the infusion;
3. When the yeast has dissolved, the infusion is filtered through several layers of gauze.

The finished product is rubbed into the animal’s withers and along the spine. The cat will not be able to reach these places.

Several popular recipes

• Tar soap is an antiflea and at the same time antiseptic agent.

You need to soap your cat or dog with it until a rich foam forms. After washing off the soap and drying the animal, its fur must be combed. Tar soap can cure dermatitis and fungal ulcers.

• You can make your own flea collar by treating it with a mixture of tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil.

You only need to put a few drops on the collar. In this case, the mixture should not get on the pet’s skin.

• You can remove fleas using ordinary table salt.

A pack of the product is diluted in a bucket of warm water, the animal is placed in the solution and kept for at least 5 minutes. After this, the pet is washed in the shower and dried with a towel.

• A mixture of equal parts of floral cologne, 3% vinegar and ammonia is effective.
The wool is treated with it from a spray bottle, after which the pet is wrapped in cellophane for 5–10 minutes. After the procedure, the animal must be bathed in warm water.

Effective fight against bloodsuckers

Fleas can carry pathogens of many dangerous diseases. In general, these are wingless insects, with long hind legs and short front legs. The hind legs allow you to jump long distances - up to 2 meters, and the front legs allow you to move quickly in the dog's fur.

To make sure your dog has fleas, the first step is to check the skin and fur. To do this, turn the dog over on its back and carefully examine the abdomen and groin area. Also carefully inspect the ears, neck and base of the tail.

Symptoms in this case will be pale gums, decreased body temperature, and lethargy. One of the most unpleasant reactions to a flea bite is flea allergy. The reaction is caused by flea saliva, which leads to allergic dermatitis.

A professional dog can help determine the cause of your dog's discomfort and suggest treatment options.

Stage 1 - no fleas in the house

Just because you don't see fleas in your home doesn't mean they aren't there. So if your dog is itching continuously and you think fleas are the cause, start cleaning the house. First of all, you need to wash all textiles on which your dog spends a lot of time.

It is advisable to wash at high temperatures. This will kill laid eggs, larvae, and adults. You should also thoroughly vacuum your home or apartment, paying special attention to dark places, upholstered furniture and carpets.

Your carpet may need additional treatment: sprinkle it with salt or baking soda a few hours before you plan to vacuum. Salt or soda will absorb excess moisture and push flea eggs to the surface.

Pack the waste from the vacuum cleaner hermetically and only then throw it away so that the pests do not crawl out and return to their original places. Check for dark, damp areas in your home. Give access to sunlight to all possible flea habitats, and if necessary, dry the premises using electrical appliances. When walking, make sure that your dog does not walk in damp, dark places, but rather in open, dry areas.

Stage 2 - no fleas on the dog

There are several ways to help you get rid of fleas on your own. Of course, it is best to get rid of fleas naturally, using natural substances that are not too aggressive.

But in difficult cases, it would be appropriate to use the medicine on the advice of a veterinarian or by choosing it yourself. If fleas have not yet become a global problem, regular bathing can help. Bathe your dog every day for 3 days with a mild shampoo, soap, or dish soap. You will know if you have killed the fleas by whether your dog itches or not.

A bath with a special anti-flea shampoo will be more effective. Before using this shampoo, carefully read the instructions for use.

You can make a spray with lemon juice. Pour the lemon juice and zest with water, let it brew and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the dog, trying to reach the animal's skin. Apple cider vinegar can also help rid your dog of fleas.

It can be used internally and externally. You can add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to your dog's water once every few days. After this procedure, your dog's skin will become sour and unattractive to fleas. For external use, you can mix equal amounts of vinegar and water and pour into a spray bottle.

When using this spray, pay attention to whether it dries out your dog's skin. You can also purchase a flea and tick spray. Typically, such sprays destroy not only adult insects, but also their larvae.

Use this spray in a well-ventilated area, avoid contact with eyes. Rosemary infusion is very effective against fleas. Pour this mixture over your dog and let him dry. Of course, for this it is necessary that the house or street be sufficiently warm and dry.

You can also use medications to prepare a decoction on the advice of your veterinarian. These products usually work more effectively against fleas, but may have side effects. To rid your dog of fleas, you can try using essential oils, such as eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, tea tree oil, etc.

They can be used by applying them directly, drop by drop, to the most affected areas of the skin, or you can make your own flea collar for dogs.

To do this, take a soft collar or just a scarf, drop a few drops of essential oil on it and put it on your dog once a week. If you notice that your dog itches even more after using this collar, stop using it immediately.

Be very careful with essential oils! Not all of them may be suitable for your dog or well tolerated. Consult your veterinarian before using essential oil. A ready-made flea collar for dogs (see photo below) can be purchased.

These collars are one of the most effective flea control products.

It does not require any additional actions and has almost no side effects. Pay attention to whether the skin on your dog’s neck has become irritated after using such a collar and, of course, read the instructions for use.

Stage 3 - yes to prevention

Prevention and control of fleas is the best treatment. Prevention should be done both on your dog and in your home. For your home, it is important to vacuum and wash your dog’s textiles in hot water, which will help rid the room not only of fleas, but also of other possible pests and allergens.

You can also use natural sprays to spray the most dangerous areas. For sprays, you can use citrus infusion or vinegar solution. The citrus infusion is prepared as follows: thinly sliced ​​lemon is poured with water, brought to a boil and infused overnight.

The finished infusion can be used both on surfaces and on your dog’s fur. The procedure can be performed once a month.

You can add brewer's yeast to your dog's food. This is a very good replacement for chemicals. The dosage should be selected in consultation with your veterinarian. Brewer's yeast works by making your pet's fur and skin unattractive and flea-repellent over time.

For prevention, topical drops are also used. They are one of the most effective and popular means of preventing fleas. The dose used must be prescribed by a veterinarian.

Another simple method of prevention: once a month you can give your dog anti-flea tablets. Again, dosing is determined by the veterinarian. Basically, these tablets prevent fleas from breeding on your dog. However, the possibility of a bite remains.

But it is better to protect your pet from terrible diseases with the help of effective means. What is the best way to treat a dog against ticks?

Types of tick repellents

Drops on the withers are widespread. These preparations are convenient to use, because it is not difficult to properly treat a dog against ticks with drops: the fur is parted, and the product is dripped directly onto the skin. The instructions for each drug indicate how often to treat the dog. It is impossible to delay treatment, because several days without protection can be fatal for your pet. The dosage of drops is strictly calculated on the weight of the dog. The following drops are used:

• Frontline spot-on. The product does not repel ticks, but prevents infection by pathogens of piroplasmosis. The drug contains fipronil, which has a toxic effect on ticks. The female tick does not immediately inject the pathogen into the blood, but only after it has had enough. The product destroys arthropods at the moment of first contact with the animal’s blood. In addition, it prevents the appearance of fleas in the animal's fur. This product can be used to treat a pregnant dog against ticks, because it is absolutely safe for the animal. It is allowed to handle puppies from the age of two months. Frontline is the original French drug, but there are also effective generics: Praktik, Fiprex and others.

• Hartz. The drug destroys ticks upon direct contact with them. Contains the substance phenothrin, is valid for 30 days after treatment. Not recommended for use in pregnant or lactating dogs or puppies under 6 months of age. Hartz is produced in the USA; there are similar anti-tick products for treating dogs made in Russia: Bars, Celandine, Dana.

Sprays are used primarily on smooth-haired and small pets, in which case there is a greater likelihood of the product getting on the animal’s skin:

• Frontline spray. The action and composition of the drug is similar to Frontline drops. The spray is used to treat the ears when frequently bathing the animal in addition to drops. In addition, the product is used up to 2 months of age and when the animal weighs less than 2 kg.

• Sprays with pyrethroids: Bolfo-spray, Dana, Bars. The drugs are used to repel ticks. The products are applied 1-2 times a week outdoors, as the drugs contain toxic substances. It is not recommended to treat pets under 6 months of age, nursing, pregnant, sick or old animals.

Collars (Kiltiks, Scalibor, Bolfo and others) contain substances that repel ticks. But these protective equipment are worn constantly, including at home. The collar is active for 6-7 months, but if the pet is bathed frequently, the product is changed more often. Pregnant and lactating pets, sick pets, and puppies under 2 months of age are not recommended to wear collars containing chemicals. In addition, you should not use drops and a collar at the same time, because the active substances react, resulting in the formation of a product that is toxic to the dog.

Recently they began to use the French vaccine against piroplasmosis Pirodog. Vaccination is carried out after 5 months, when the animal has all the necessary vaccinations. 2 doses of the drug are administered with an interval of 3 weeks, the dog is revaccinated once a year, and in case of frequent tick attacks - once every six months. The use of the vaccine in nursing and pregnant dogs is prohibited.

Dogs should not be treated against fleas and ticks with folk remedies: tar soap, herbal decoctions and others. Folk remedies only hide the smell of the animal from ticks for a short time, which is ineffective, and in addition, they are inconvenient to use.

How to properly treat a dog for ticks: video and instructions

To fully protect your animal from ticks, follow a few simple rules:

• It is imperative to treat your dog in the spring, when the tick breeding season begins. Treatment should begin from the moment the outside temperature reaches above zero.
• To ensure that the product is well absorbed, do not bathe your pet for 3 days before and after applying the drug.
• When combining drops and spray, drops are first applied, and 10 days after, the dog is treated against ticks with a spray.
• After the walk, the animal is examined, special attention is paid to the ears. Found ticks are removed and the dog's condition is carefully monitored for 3 weeks.
• To treat a dog's kennel or enclosure against ticks, use sprays according to the instructions. When processing, use a protective mask and gloves.

If after a tick bite the animal’s behavior has changed, the dog has become lethargic and refuses to eat, it is necessary to show the animal to a veterinarian.