Parasite Archives - Edie MacKenzie

Dog Training With Deadly Parasites

September 23, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

We as dog owners need to be aware of the deadly parasites that walk our earth. Our dogs stand a chance of being introduced to more of them than we may know. Even though most stages of problems to external parasites are only minor, they still need to be looked into. Dogs that hold a large infestation can sometimes bit and scratch parts of their bodies. Corresponding with that, usually dogs that bite themselves harm their own body in someway.

The myth that dog fleas do not bite humans is very much false. This is a scary thought, but it is in fact entirely true. They do prefer the company of dogs more, but that does not stop them from what they do. Most families ignore dog fleas and it is a serious problem of infestation. Taking care of fleas is very simple and usually cost productive.

The most common parasite that gets into the canine body is roundworms. The name roundworms gives a good explanation as to what they actually are. Roundworms pass from dog to dog through touching of the saliva and noses and such, but can also be passed from simply being in the dirt for an amount of time before they die.

The main parasite that sticks to the outside of the canine skin is called the tick. This is a common fear of humans due to their very ugly spider like appearance. The tick is not really the dangerous part, but what the tick spreads is. What they do is jump from dog to dog sucking the different blood types of the canine and mixing them at times. As you can imagine, the mixing of blood is always dangerous with disease.

Figuring out pet dog training is easy and learning what is not safe for them is needed. The Dog Training Database is a base of dog training sources that can basically teach you everything anyone needs to know about dog training.

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Canine Ticks – Simple Ways To Remove Ticks

August 4, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Ticks can cause serious health problems for dogs, including humans. When it comes to transmitting communicable diseases, they rank second to mosquitoes. To identify if your dog is infested by ticks, following are the signs and symptoms to lookout for: irritation, inflammation, local infection, hypersensitivity, fever, lameness, loss of appetite, sharp pain in legs or body, arthritis, malaise or lethargy, cough, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis.

Since ticks are hard to detect if the dog’s fur is long, most pet owners would maintain their pet’s hair short for easy tick detection. In searching for the presence of ticks, it is advisable to don gloves. Rub your hands against the dog’s hair and feel for bumps. Visually check if it is a tick.

Removing Ticks – Common Practice

To get rid of ticks, spray alcohol or pour one to two drops of mineral oil at the tick. It will immobilize the tick in seconds. It also helps loosen its clasp to the dog’s skin. Carefully, grip the head of the tick, as close to its mouth as possible. Carefully apply pressure. Carefully, remove the tick away from your pet’s skin. Avoid gripping the tick at its head as not to twist the tick. Twisting can leave tick debris or other parts behind. Be conscientious not to crush the tick. Crushing the tick can spread more microorganism, or worse, it can cause the blood of the tick to access the dog’s stab. If the head or any part of it remains in the dog’s skin, remove them cautiously. Although the immune system of the dog can usually banish these remainders, an infection or swelling might occur, so it is best to contact your veterinarian if uncertain.

After removing the tick, drop the parasite to a mineral oil or alcohol, ensure that it is dead before disposing it to a nearby garbage bin. To avoid transfer of infection, wipe the mineral oil in the dog’s fur and then disinfect the area with alcohol.

Efficient Tools For Tick Removal

It is not expedient to directly takeout the tick with your bare hands. Doing so can transfer bacteria from the tick to your nails. Although removing dog’s tick might not be as easy as you think, there are other strategies to readily remove ticks by using different tools such as curved hemostats, tick spoon, tick slider, tick nipper, tick noose, and tick pincers. Curved thermostats are traditionally used by physicians or veterinarians. Tick spoon on the other hand, is an impressively well-crafted little plastic spoon with a notch at the end. Tick spoon is used by sliding the notch under the tick before levering it off. The tick slider is very similar to the tick spoon. Simply, slide the instrument under the tick before lifting it off. Tick nipper is a little plastic instrument with a curved jaw, which enables you to grasp the tick by its head before lifting it off. Tick forceps is just like an instrument used by ophthalmologists. It can readily grasp the head of the tick because of its fine tipped end. Never use sharp objects when removing ticks as not to poke holes in your pet’s skin.

Although ticks might be removed easily using various instruments, prevention is still far better than cure. Regular bathing and other preventive tick medications are still the most excellent ways in keeping the ticks off your pet.

Manage fleas with Frontline for dogs. Frontline for Dogs treats all types of fleas and ticks and kills them quickly.

Dog Fleas – How To Handle This Parasite At Home

July 25, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Do you own a pet dog? Apprehensive about fleas? Worry no more. This article is all about dog fleas. Its causes, symptoms to watch out for and a couple of helpful home treatments that you can try.

If there is one thing pet owners dreaded the most, it is dog flea. Fleas are yucky. It can trigger mild to severe itching and scratching to its host. They are not easy to eliminate. They measure approximately 1.5 to 3.3 mm long. They do not have wings. They suck on blood. There are about 2,000 species of fleas, but the most common is the Ctenocephalides felis, also known as the cat flea. Dogs are their linchpin prey.

Causes of Dog Fleas

Did you know that a dog can still fall victim to fleas though it stays at home all the time? Yes, your pet can get fleas particularly in a hot and humid weather. Since fleas are so miniscule, they can come into small screens or windows. But the most common way of transmission is via direct contact with other pets.

Fleas are generally found in dogs and cats. Tragically, human beings are not spared. When a pet is out or is already gone, fleas can plague humans. Without pets at home, fleas are in a hunt for a new host and this is when they begin to attack humans. They normally bite humans at the waist area, ankles, and armpits.

Symptoms To Lookout For

Can you identify if a pet is suffering from fleas? In fact, you can tell right away if the dog is suffering from flea infestation with just one look. First, you will see your dog itching and scratching. Then the affected skin of your canine friend may turn red and inflamed as a result of flea bites and the continual scratching and biting. Also, flea dirt is evident on your pet’s skin, on its sheets and bed-dings, or in other areas where your pet frequently hangs out. Flea dirt looks like little dark specks. Flea dirt is a mixture of desiccated blood and flea fragments.

To check if your dogs have fleas, get your pet’s comb and carefully run it through your little friend’s fur. If you spot tiny black insects finding its way back to your dog’s fur then it is confirmed. Your dog is infested with fleas.

Home Treatment For Dog Fleas

After confirming that your dog has fleas, do not lengthen your dog’s agony. Do something about these infuriating little critters. Following are some of the most common household treatments for dog fleas.

Avon Product – Skin So Soft
According to one analysis conducted in the University of Florida in Gainesville, this extraordinary bath oil, is an excellent flea repellent product. Basically cleanse your canine friend in the solution of Avon’s Skin So Soft. Your dog will surely be relieved in an instant.

Rosemary
Rosemary has anti-inflammatory property. It also helps stimulate the growth of hair. With constant scratching and biting, your dog can experience mild to severe hair loss. Restore your dog’s natural fur and use rosemary consistently.

Brewer’s Yeast
This commercial product is not yet proven nonetheless according to many pet owners this product can help keep fleas away.

Seeing your pets suffer because of flea infestation is very sad. Yes, fleas in dogs are very common. On the other hand there is something that you can do to deal with the condition. Follow the tips above and your pet will be relieved from fleas in no time.

Control ticks with Frontline for dogs. Frontline for Dogs treats all types of fleas and ticks and kills them quickly.

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