Introduction
Symptoms of fleas in dogs are sometimes very obvious, for example, when fleas are seen on the dog, or they may be include symptoms of parasites which fleas carry or allergic skin conditions. In some cases, flea infestation is not always so obvious and it is possible for owners to miss flea infestations in their dogs.
Symptoms of Fleas in Dogs
In addition to seeing the presence of fleas on the dog, additional symptoms include severe itchiness, constant scratching, small red sores throughout the dog’s body, and allergic reactions to bites which may cause hair loss, and sores on the base of the tail, genitals, and neck area.
Less obvious symptoms are the presence of flea feces (or ‘flea dirt’) on the dog’s skin. The flea dirt looks like small dark brown to black specs, and if these small specs are gathered and wetted on a paper towel a dark red color will appear; this red color is the remnants of the dog’s blood which was ingested and then eliminated by the flea. Pet owners may also notice flea dirt on the dog’s bedding or on household furniture or floors.
The presence of tapeworms is also a symptom of fleas in dogs. Tapeworms are usually noticed by small white egg segments which are often found around the dog’s anal area, and small dried egg segments (resembling rice) in the dog’s bedding and environment.
In severe cases when heavy flea infestation is causing anemia, the dog’s gums and tongue may turn white and the dog may appear listless, lethargic, confused, and have difficulty walking or standing.