What is a flea?
Our discussion is what is flea or flea dirt or what is the best way to get rid of flea dirt___Small, wingless insects that suck mammal and bird blood. Diseases like plague and myxomatosis can be transmitted by its bite. The flea lives by consuming blood from its host. Adult Fleas are about 3 millimeters (1/8 inch) long, brown in color, and have bodies that are “flattened” to move through a host’s hair or feathers. Wingless, they possess strong claws preventing displacement, piercing mouthparts adapted to drink blood, and exceptionally strong hind legs that allow them to jump extremely high.
What is flea dirt?
In your pet’s fur, you can see small black flakes made up of flea droppings (blood and feces). However, fleas themselves are not always visible… sometimes flea dirt is found without any fleas. Feces of fleas are reddish-black in color because they contain blood that has not yet been fully digested. Dirt from fleas is actually dried blood. Small black dots are a sure sign your pet has fleas (they usually appear near their living areas). You see these most often on the tummy and tail. Taking precautions against fleas is also necessary as fleas pose a health risk.
What is the best way to get rid of flea dirt?
Consult your veterinarian if your dog has fleas. There may be a flea pill that your veterinarian recommends. Use a veterinary-specific shampoo or use Ivory dish soap to wash your pet once, and only once, to remove the dirt. Then, focus on getting rid of the bloodsucking fleas. Nitenpyram, also known as Capstar, is the most common product used to kill fleas on dogs instantly. It kills fleas in 30 minutes when taken orally. When using Capstar, it is recommended that you confine your pet to a small area. It is easier to remove fleas from your pet if you lay a sheet or blanket on the floor. Your vet can prescribe Capstar to you or you can purchase it at many online pet supply outlets without a prescription.
What are the symptoms of my pet being infected by a flea?
Fleas can cause itching, red bumps, or pimples at the base of your pet’s tail or groin. A dog or cat may also suffer from hair loss or dry skin as a result of scratching. There is a red bump that appears in groups of three or four from a flea infection. A pet infected with these parasites will also experience redness, pain, fever, and red streaking on the extremities as well as swollen lymph nodes. If your dog has fleas that hide well on its back, turn her over and check those areas. Fleas tend to prefer warm, protected places like armpits and groins. Examine the ears as well if you observe redness, scratches, and dirt. It is obviously a clear sign of the colony of fleas.
