If you have a pet dog, you probably know how important it is to take preventative measures to protect him from parasites. There are insects and other pests in the world that love to prey on dogs, and since they spend so much time outside and being active, they are often at risk of coming in contact with these pests. Luckily, preventative treatments help to keep bad infestations and health problems at bay. However, it can be possible for your dog to get fleas or ticks anyway–especially if they spend time in some specific places. Here are some surprising spots where your dogs might get fleas or ticks. Arming yourself with this knowledge can help ensure you stay vigilant and stop any infestations in their tracks.
Day Care
Does your pooch go to school when you go to work? It’s possible he picked up fleas from another dog at the daycare. While all good doggy day care facilities require dogs to be treated before they come, dogs can slip through the cracks (and treatment can be hard to verify). So, if your dog comes home with a case of the fleas, it’s possible a fluffy friend at school also has them. Let the daycare know, so they can take any measures to stop the fleas from spreading at their facility. When your dog is itchy from fleas, contact the vet. Your vet will help ensure that what he’s experiencing is fleas, let you know how to treat them, and give you any medication to help reduce the discomfort and itch, like Apoquel for atopic dermatitis.
The Back Yard
Fleas and ticks aren’t just in the forest or wilderness. They can basically be anywhere, which means that if you let your pooch romp around the yard, there’s a chance he’ll get a tick when he’s doing it. Make sure you check your dog for ticks each times he comes inside from being outside. That way you can catch any clingers-on immediately and remove them. If you have questions about whether your dog is healthy after a tick bite, contact your vet.
The Groomer
Your groomer is where your dog goes to get clean and coiffed. However, a groomer can also be a place to pick up fleas, because so many dogs come in and out of their facility, and groomers don’t necessarily require any proof of treatment in order to give a dog a bath and a cut. So, before you take your dog for a new ‘do, make sure you check with your groomer to see if he or she has worked with any dogs who have fleas. If your dog comes home from the groomer with a case of the fleas, let her know, so that she can treat her facility and her tools properly.
When your dog gets fleas and ticks, he can not only be uncomfortable–he can also get sick. Even worse, those parasites can come into your home and affect you and your loved ones as well. So, make sure you stay aware when your dog might come into contact with these pests. By trying to avoid these places as much as possible, or by treating an infestation as soon as you see evidence of a parasite, you can keep problems at bay, and ensure everyone stays happy, healthy, and thriving.
Listed below are some helpful links from items referenced within the article:
http://www.campbowwow.com/services/dog-day-care
http://www.biospotactivecare.com/proactive-pet-care/dog-and-cat-pests/why-should-i-worry-about-fleas-and-ticks/