How did my dog get fleas and worms?

NoAngel

My dog has nothing to do with any other animals- he's a bit aggressive towards them (he's a terrier) so I keep him on a lead and away from other dogs at all times.

Therefore, my question is- how has he managed to get fleas and worms?! I noticed the fleas a few weeks ago, keep thinking i've got rid of them but realised last night that they're still there. On top of that today I noticed he's clearly got worms. Aaargh!

He was also up all nigh coughing- i was sure it sounded like kennel cough... haha that's stopped now though.

Maybe he's sneaking out whilst i'm at work?!

So if anyone could recommend anything good for the fleas and worms i'd be very grateful. On a budget too And also, can anyone suggest how we could avoid them it the future?

Caroline_a

NoAngel wrote: »

My dog has nothing to do with any other animals- he's a bit aggressive towards them (he's a terrier) so I keep him on a lead and away from other dogs at all times.

Therefore, my question is- how has he managed to get fleas and worms?! I noticed the fleas a few weeks ago, keep thinking i've got rid of them but realised last night that they're still there. On top of that today I noticed he's clearly got worms. Aaargh!

He was also up all nigh coughing- i was sure it sounded like kennel cough... haha that's stopped now though.

Maybe he's sneaking out whilst i'm at work?!

So if anyone could recommend anything good for the fleas and worms i'd be very grateful. On a budget too And also, can anyone suggest how we could avoid them it the future?

The simple answer to this is if you take him where there is grass you can't. Dogs and cats catch fleas in grass where other animals have been, and worms can be picked up from a number of sources, including ingesting other dog's faeces (ugh!), contaminated water, etc etc.

There are a number of spot on treatments for fleas, and some for both worms and fleas. I personally like Stronghold for my animals, but it's not cheap and you have to get it with a vet's prescription.

My main recommendation would be that you don't get some over the counter supermarket cure (Bob Martin's, etc) as in my experience they are a waste of money.

Tropez

He can get fleas and worms a number of ways without himself coming into contact with other dogs.

For example, worms are generally found in stagnant water so it isn't too hard for a dog, who knows no better, to drink up a bit of stagnant water and get an infection.

Fleas jump around all over the place. All it takes is for a flea to jump to an owner's clothes and for that owner to walk closely by you (with or without the dog) for the flea to jump on to you and then on to your dog.

I'm assuming that you're worming your dog regularly (every 3 months or so) as it is so if the current medication isn't doing the trick you're best speaking to your vet who may be able to recommend a more suited medication for the particular type of worm you're dealing with.

As for fleas - it depends somewhat on the fleas again. Practic or Frontline are often recommended but I am sure there are others too. Assuming your dog has had flea treatment before you may wish to use that one again as you'll know he isn't allergic to it in any way.

goblet_2

First of all a dog with fleas usually gets worms. Next one is, your dog doesnt need to be in contact with another dog to get fleas. Fleas can be picked up from a blade of grass a plant, a bush where he c0cked his leg up. The list is endless.

A good flea treatment is needed, ie Frontline, and Drontil for the worms. Or Stronghold which will deal with fleas and the the worms at the same time.

You also need to treat the whole house for the fleas, they get everywhere the pesky things.

How to keep the fleas and worms at bay, thats easy use (your choice of) Stronghold/Frontline as directed on the packet.

As for the cough, well I would recomend a trip to the Vet.

NoAngel

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

I have recently moved to a new flat, and unfortunately was without a washing machine for some time whilst I saved up. Had to keep taking it to my mum! Now i've got one sorted I can wash everything and make sure there are no fleas skulking around.

Will go to the vets with regards to treatment- thanks for the advice regarding that.

The cough seems to have gone- I think he had something stuck in his throat and I ended up sitting up with him all night. He's exhausted now, bless him, but seems to have gotten over it.

paddypaws101

Washing all soft furnishings IS a god idea....but will not eradicate fleas which can lie dormant in carpets, cracks around skirting boards etc.
When you are at the vet buy Indorex or RIP fleas and use it to spray all round the house, lasts for 12 months protection.

sarabe

NoAngel wrote: »

....I have recently moved to a new flat,

I expect the fleas were included in the price.

jennyjelly

I would highly recommend this stuff, Acclaim, to de-flea your home. Just spray it everywhere once a year and it kills them on contact and stops any eggs from hatching. You still need to use a flea treatment on your dog as well.

NoAngel

sarabe wrote: »

I expect the fleas were included in the price.

ooooh!!! There WAS a dog living here previously. I reckon that was a possibility. Now to de-flea the home. thanks for that advice, I wouldn't have thought about spraying everywhere (sorry, I've never had this problem with him before and other dogs I've had were when I lived at home, so parents dealt with this sort of stuff).

I've just moved to a new town, 200 miles from home, so need a new vets. That's my job for tomorrow.

Also, just spoken to OH who is working away, and he reckons the worms are down to him possibly eating other dogs/cats poop when out walking. Even on his lead, he suddenly grabs at something and eats it, and most of the time you've no idea what it was. Someone suggested using a muzzle. Anyone have any thoughts about this please?

broxiebear1

hi dont know about worms but i swear by frontline for fleas very good the vet used it on my dog and when i asked aabout bob martin he said supermarket remidies were rubbish
so i googled frontline and havnt looked back
lol i have just remembered ill have to buy it to
broxie

spike7451

I actually gave Orbit (rip) fleas!!

I was working as a Service Tech for NTL at the time & one home I was in was particulary scummy!! Their dog ate from a mouldy food crusted sweety tin,the was roach butts all around the electric fire & a half stripped motorbike in the living room.In my 12 years as a Telecooms Engineer,it was by far the worse home I have ever been in.

Anyway,after fixing the fault,I left & almost immediately started itching,I could see the fleas on my clothes so I called my boss who allowed me to go home & change,I took my uniform off in the hallway to my apartments & binned it.Also had to get my van fumigated!