Fleas on a Beaglier

If you have ever had to endure the annoyance of a flea bite you will appreciate the dilemma a flea infested dog is experiencing when you learn that fleas don’t even find humans particularly tasty. That irritating flea bite on your ankle was just a taste test, and the flea certainly didn’t hang around for a second helping. Dogs, on the other hand, are tasty delights to a flea and once the flea gets a sample they move in for the long haul and bring all of their friends and relatives. This all adds up to a very uncomfortable experience for the dog, and also exposes them to a number of dangerous health conditions.

Some Beagliers are Sensitive to Fleas

Some Beagliers are more sensitive to flea bites than others with itching the result of a localized allergic reaction. However, certain animals may develop severe irritation and skin infections. Tapeworm may also be transferred as flea larva ingest the microscopic tapeworm eggs and pass them on during their adult cycle when they move to a different animal, or even a human.

Anaemia is a real risk to a heavily infested animal if there are enough fleas to create significant loss of blood. Beaglier puppies, are more susceptible and can die or suffer medical complications if the flea infestation is not acted up soon enough.

Checking for Fleas on a Beaglier

There are a few things you can look out for you if suspect your Beaglier is suffering through a flea infestation, but usually just suspecting should be enough confirmation to prompt you into action. Check for flea dirt (flea droppings in the dog’s coat), allergic dermatitis, scratching and biting at the skin, scabs, pale gums, and flea eggs in the dog’s bedding or on the dog.

Use a flea comb (a comb with teeth that are very close together) all over your Beaglier’s body. Pay extra attention to the lower back around the tail, as well as the abdomen, as these are the areas where fleas will concentrate the most. You may not pick up any fleas but you may see evidence of them through the flea dirt they leave behind. You can confirm flea dirt by placing a little on a white paper towel and wetting it. If it turns reddish brown, then it is definitely a sign of fleas.

Treat the Environment

When you treat for fleas you must also include the surrounding environment and not just the dog. Fleas are hardy little pests who are also great jumpers. A life cycle of between 16 days to 21 months and their ability to jump great lengths in a single acrobatic session means you need to be fairly diligent in making life hard for them.

There are a ton of options to treat for fleas ranging from topical liquids applied to the back of the neck, sprays, shampoos, and powders. Many products will kill both the eggs and the adult fleas with varying levels of efficacy. It’s always a good idea to consult with your vet.

Once you have treated the animal it’s time to give your home a good going over. Wash all of the rugs, bedding, and upholstery and toss the vacuum bags into the garbage bin when you’re done. Severe infestations might call for a flea bomb or fogger, which sprays throughout the whole house. These will require temporary evacuation of your home for a few hours.

Once you have effectively rid your house of fleas a monthly pre-emptive strike against further infestation is a good idea. Regularly put your dog’s bedding through the wash and treat your yard to some flea control. Fleas love shade so concentrate on the out of the way shady areas around the house with a good quality insecticide.