FLEAS
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Fleas have been with us from time immemorial and although there have been
significant attempts to reduce the menace of fleas, they will probably still be
with us for a considerable time.
Fleas are indeed a menace.
They are responsible for a large proportion of the skin problems from which dogs
suffer. In fact the allergy to the
flea bite is so common with dogs, that quite often
when a Veterinarian sees
evidence of a dog’s skin problem,
the immediate reaction is to attribute the cause to flea bites.
The skin problem may be due to other causes but the reaction of the
Veterinarian, prior to a detailed
examination, is understandable.
In addition to the intense skin irritation to the dog caused by fleas, there are
other problems associated with fleas.
Fleas are the intermediate host of the tapeworm.
Fleas feel upon tapeworm segments. When the dog bites itself to relieve
the itch caused by the flea bite, it often swallows the flea and becomes
infected with the tapeworm.