The flea is among the Jack Russell
Terrier’s mortal enemy. It may be a very small creature but its
effects on a dog are very much felt. If you don’t believe me how
powerful a flea is, here are some quick facts.
The flea has already outlived us humans because they have been
around for millions of years. They can quickly adjust to a new
environment and have no problem with its new living conditions.
They could even produce thousands of off-springs in the span
of months. Their leap is also powerful for their size; they
could leap as high as 15 to 36 inches high. In a human world,
that’s equivalent to leaping over the Washington monument.
Those things may be pretty amazing but when it comes to your
Jack Russell Terrier’s health, fleas are very much irritating.
These fleas cause mild skin irritation to becoming severe allergic
reactions. Since these guys feed on blood, a Jack Russell Terrier
with lots of fleas can have anemia or even die. These guys are
the real vampires. Jack Russell Terrier’s that are not susceptible
to fleas are those that live in extremely dry places or high
environments.
It is very hard to see if your Jack Russell Terrier has encountered
fleas. However you can check out for signs. Look for scabs,
extreme scratching, flea dirt or dark specs that are all found
on your dog’s skin. Fleas can even become more dangerous when
they carry tapeworms. Check out the rear area of your dog if
there are any white rice specs that are present as they are
signs of tapeworms.
Fleas are very hard to get rid of. It will take you 3-4 weeks
to get them away from your Jack Russell and your environment.
There are lots of different flea products that can be used and
are all different depending on the life stage of the flea. The
best thing to do is combine all of them.
Getting rid of fleas:
Adult fleas on your Jack Russell can be killed using flea shampoos,
powders, and sprays and regularly combing of flea combs. It
is not enough to get rid of the fleas on the dog alone. The
fleas at your place should also be getting rid of.
To get rid of fleas at your house you would need to vacuum
and wash the dogs bedding at least once a week. Every two to
four weeks also spay insecticide on your house’s cracks or crevices.
Using chemicals to get rid of fleas could be dangerous. So the
best way is to get help from your vet or hire a professional.
If your Jack Russell stays mostly outside, getting the dog
in the sunlight helps. Fleas can die from the sunlight. You
may also want to spray your yard.
