Having a Flea-Free Puppy

The two most common external parasites that infect dogs are fleas and ticks. These bugs not only cause irritation, but may also carry and transmit disease. Examine your puppy’s skin regularly for evidence of parasites.

• Fleas: Fleas are small, wingless insects that thrive in warm, humid environments. The adult flea spends its entire life on the dog, living close to the skin and feeding on blood. The other three stages of the flea's life cycle (egg, larvae, and pupae) take place in the dog’s environment. This explains why complete treatment for fleas must include a pet’s surroundings. Luckily, there are many effective and safe topical products available that prevent flea infestations and also control flea contamination of the indoor environment.

• Ticks: Ticks are blood-sucking parasites classified as arachnids, like spiders and mites. Dogs can become infested with ticks when they brush again grass or underbrush where ticks reside. Heavy infestations can cause blood loss and tick bite allergies. Ticks are also responsible for transmitting a variety of infectious diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Examining Your Dog for Fleas and Ticks

• Fleas: Roll your dog onto his back and examine his belly, chest and around the base of his tail. The adult flea is a small, dark brown, cigar-shaped insect that resides very close to the skin and moves very quickly. Also look for "flea dirt", small black specks similar in size to ground pepper.

• Ticks: Ticks differ from fleas in that they attach around a dog’s head, ears or neck and do not move around on the dog’s skin. Prior to attachment, ticks may be found crawling around on top of the dog’s coat. Ticks are dark, round and flat. They can range in size from as small as a speck of pepper to as large as a grape (when engorged).