Fleas

For dogs, few things are more irritating than fleas. You can stop these pests from infesting your canine by taking preventative measures to treat him, as well as his environment. Flea collars, powders, sprays, shampoos, and dips can help rid your dog of fleas. Note, however, that excessive use of any of these products may be hazardous to your pet. Your veterinarian can also prescribe drugs that will kill fleas, or break their life cycle.

You should also treat outdoor areas that may contain fleas with an appropriate spray or fogger. To help control flea infestation within your house, clean and vacuum thoroughly. To control heavy infestations, you may need the services of a professional exterminator.

Ear Mites

Don’t let the ear mites bite! These parasites live on the surface of a dog’s skin, lining the ear canal. Ear mites pierce the skin to feed, causing inflammation and discomfort. If left untreated, ear mites can cause bacterial infections and even hearing loss.

Some warning signs include:     

• Excessive and persistent scratching around the ears
• Head shaking
• Restless behaviour
• Ears that are painful to the touch, even causing the pet to cry out in pain
• Brown material in the ears
• A foul-smelling odour

Ear mites are transmitted from dog to dog. Puppies can acquire them from their mother, and they can jump from one household pet to another. The best preventive measure to take is to treat all pets within one residence for mites, particularly in kennels.

Dogs with long, floppy ears are more prone to ear mite infections, as air movement is restricted, promoting infection and bacterial growth. If your pup becomes infected, see a veterinarian who can prescribe the right medicine.

In some instances, bacteria (a secondary infection to mites) may develop resistance to a given medication. It’s a good idea to make follow-up visits to your veterinarian to be sure the infection is cleared up.

Check your dog’s ears as part of his regular grooming routine. Remember, a certain amount of wax is normal. When you clean your pet’s ears, use a cotton ball or clean washcloth—but avoid using cotton-tipped swabs, which can poke debris against the eardrum and even damage the inner ear.

NOTE: Scratching is a common dog behaviour that can indicate many different things, from allergies to ear mites, to fleas or other health conditions. If your dog is scratching away, consult your veterinarian before assuming fleas or mites are the culprits. A vet will help you determine the source of the problem, as well as the right course of action to take.

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