Don't Get Caught In A Bullmastiff Flea Ring Circus

Online, May 3, 2010 (Newswire.com) - All pet owners dread flea season. Dog owners especially dread fleas because dogs are usually outside more often than other pets. They also typically go outside and then in, several times a day bringing along with them the potential fleas that ride undetected into your home. A flea infestation can be very difficult and costly to irradiate from your home and dog. A flea can also spread other parasites and diseases to your Bullmastiff.
The remedy for fleas cannot only be costly; it can take time, patience and perseverance. If you are not familiar with what fleas are, they are brownish red in color, are wingless but hop, and have sharp bites that draw blood from the host dog. They multiply rapidly so if you do not prevent them, or stop them quickly, you can have a terrible flea infestation rather quickly.
It is not just the adult flea that you must rid your home and dog of, but the flea larvae as well. The flea larvae live in warm climates and will even stay alive until the ground freezes in cooler climates. If fleas make it to the inside of your home and are not killed, they can live on in your home, past the cold months.
How do you know if your Bullmastiff puppy has fleas? All dogs scratch, but a dog with flea's scratches almost non-stop. Some dogs are allergic to fleabites and can develop terrible rashes that cause even more scratching. Rashes from fleabites can become infected, which will be even more costly to heal. Nipping the flea problem before it starts or at the very least as soon as you notice the problem, is essential. If you do not control the flea population explosion, you will have a very nasty problem on your hands pretty quickly. To detect the presence of fleas on your dog, use a wide tooth comb and run it through your dog's coat. If you find "flea dirt"
The "flea dirt" is actually dried blood flea excrement. Your vet can recommend flea products that work. It is better to get a recommendation from someone who has experience because you can easily waste your money on products that don't work.
Home treatments:
• Use petroleum jelly on the wide tooth comb to gather fleas easier as they stick to the comb. Comb your dog on a regular basis to get any fleas the dog picks up from outside.
• Put Garlic or Brewer's Yeast in your dog's canned food as this makes your dog less appealing to fleas. This remedy is not study backed but there are many people to testify to their effectiveness.

At Black River, we recommend you spend the extra money for flea products at your veterinarian or pet store. They are much more reliable than the products purchased at the mega stores. We prefer Advantage and Frontline... Your veterinarian would gladly advise you on what would be best for your area and infestation.
Fleas need to be treated on all fronts: the dog, your yard, as well as any hard or soft surface in your home. You must re-treat if fleas return. See your vet for how often to treat your pet as treating sooner than recommended on the product label may harm your dog.