This is probably the topic that generates the most interest among pet owners. First, you should eliminate the breeding grounds for fleas and ticks. Keep your grass mowed, and trim bushes and trees. The most common natural predators of fleas are insects such as fire ants and nematodes, as well as spiders, frogs, toads lizards, and snakes. Animals that eat ticks include frogs, lizards, chickens, squirrels, opossums, guineafowl, wild turkeys, ants and fire ants.
There are so many choices, some work better than others and some are safer than others. We have tried many products some worked for a while some didn’t seem to work at all. No, I am not going to recommend one over another.
We have chosen a non-traditional more natural method. We use garlic on our dogs’ food, the dogs like it and it works for us. We worried about all the chemicals and the effect they could be having on the long-term health of our dogs. Springtime Bug Off Garlic
To read more go to FDA warnings for flea medication
Most people have seen their dogs scratching and know how miserable they are when they have fleas. In addition to skin irritation and other external issues, pets are also at risk for internal complications from flea bites and infestations. Fleas can give your dog tapeworms. No, your month worming does not kill tapeworms.. Young puppies are especially susceptible to anemia caused by severe flea infestations. In some cases, this can lead to death.
Ticks present their own set of risks.
Lyme Disease
Caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria which is transmitted by infected black-legged ticks or deer ticks, The symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs can include lethargy, lameness, fever, joint pain or swelling, and the enlargement of lymph nodes.
Canine Bartonellosis
Although Canine Bartonellosis is less common than some other tick-borne diseases we see in dogs, the symptoms of this disease can be very serious. Some of the earliest signs of Canine Bartonellosis include intermittent fever and lameness but left untreated this condition can lead to serious conditions such as heart or liver disease.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
RMSF or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is carried by the Rocky Mountain wood tick, brown deer tick and American dog tick. This tick-borne condition can be seen in dogs across Central, South, and North America, and can also affect humans. Swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, poor appetite, and fever are some of the most common symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in dogs. In some cases, dogs may also experience neurological symptoms such as balance issues or weakness.
Canine Ehrlichiosis
There are a number of different ticks that can transmit Canine Ehrlichiosis, including the American dog tick, brown dog tick and the lone star tick. Symptoms of this condition typically begin to appear about 1 -3 weeks after your dog has been infected and may include fever, poor appetite, nose bleeds, and bruising. Early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to the successful treatment of Canine Ehrlichiosis. Treatment can be more challenging in dogs that develop chronic symptoms of the disease.
Canine Anaplasmosis
The most common symptoms of Canine Anaplasmosis are much the same as other tick-borne diseases and include lethargy, loss of appetite, stiff joints, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. In severe cases, however, Canine Anaplasmosis can lead to seizures in dogs.
Canine Babesiosis
Canine Babesiosis is primarily spread through the bite of infected brown dog ticks or American dog ticks. However, this condition can also be spread through the bite of an infected dog, contaminated IV blood or transferred from a pregnant mother to her unborn puppies through transplacental transmission. Canine Babesiosis causes the breakdown of red blood cells, resulting in symptoms such as jaundice, pale gums, lethargy, dark-colored urine, and in some cases generalized weakness and vomiting.
Canine Hepatozoonosis
Although Canine Hepatozoonosis is a tick-borne disease, your pet could contract the disease by eating another infected animal such as a rodent or bird. Dogs infected with this disease will often show mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. That said, depending on the strain of the disease more severe cases can lead to symptoms that can seriously impact your pet’s mobility such as muscle, bone, and/or joint pain. Other symptoms of Canine Hepatozoonosis include fever, pale gums and skin, and enlarged lymph nodes.