Can fleas make a dog sick? What can I put on him to keep the fleas away? He was a stray that my dad brought home over 9 years ago. I am not sure how old he is since he was a stray. He has not ate anything in about 3 days, he has dropped a lot of weight, and he has this nasty stuff coming out of his eyes (yellowish-greenish color). He is also breathing sort-of heavy. He is up and walking around. I bathed him today and he was covered in fleas. Can the fleas cause a dog to get sick? He is an "outside dog". He is dearly loved and I contacted the vet, I would have to use the emergency vet, which is pretty far away from my home. Please help me...what should I do until Monday when I can bring him to the local vet?
2006-07-08 14:21:18 · 11 answers · asked by ♥Just_Me♥ 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I just gave him some left over people food and his normal food, he is picking at both of them now. He would not eat anything until I bathed him. He seems to like the people food. Guess he thinks it is a treat.
2006-07-08 14:38:44 · update #1
Thanks to everyone who has answered with concern. I have talked to another vet (a local one) and I will be bring him to that vet tomorrow morning. I will have to pay a little extra since I will be using the "emergency" services since they are not open on Sunday. But, it will be worth it. Although everyone has offered great advice on Yahoo! Answers, they can't save my dog, that is up to the vet to try. He has been with me for over 9 years and never given me a problem. He is breathing a little better, and seems to be glad to have got a bath. Thank you. Advice appreciated.
2006-07-08 22:02:39 · update #2
Also, I checked his gums and his top gums do have more of a white color.
2006-07-08 22:03:54 · update #3
Your dog's condition doesn't sound good at all. When a dog stops eating, it's a major concern. You can try to entice your dog to eat, that might help. Try foods he can't resist that he normally doesn't get. But if he hasn't eaten in 3 days, he's probably feeling to ill to eat. And yes, flea infestations can cause sickness. Although it sounds like it is something more severe than fleas, which do not make a dog have labored breathing. I really think you should go to the Emergency clinic, your dog has given you nine years of loyalty, make it up to him before it's too late. I wish you and the dog the best.
2006-07-08 14:27:53 · answer #1 · answered by CC 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
too many fleas for too long can cause him to be anemic since they feast on his blood. I wish I knew what to do about his fleas though. Until a vet see's him, the vet can give a perscription for flea medicine. I have found the stuff in the store does not work. I've tried everything from collars - ultrasound and everything in between. The flea medicine at the vet even doesn't last throughout the summer. Good luck and make sure your dogs drinks plenty of water.
2006-07-08 21:28:37 · answer #2 · answered by wishorstish 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you should take the dog to the vet it sounds like he might have parvo, and if he does this is serious he won't make it another couple of days, he also could have either a heart worm since you say he's and outside dog, or he's got both, as for the fleas frontline will kill the fleas. all depends on much you love that dog and not let him suffer and don't give him people food.if the dog is sick, i had to pay emergency fees at the vet but it was worth it.
2006-07-08 23:34:47 · answer #3 · answered by charlie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fleas can cause the pet to slowly loose blood and this may cause anemia in the long run if he is heavily infestated. However it seems that your dog may have some other problems, so bring him to the vet ASAP monday. I would only go with frontline or advantage, I do not trust the over the counter flea products. Hope the dog gets better!
2006-07-08 21:33:26 · answer #4 · answered by silver wings 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can probably get flea powder from Wal-mart or the drug store but the vet can give your dog a pill that kills fleas. The dog may be too hot which would cause him to breathe heavy. Keep him in the shade with cool water available. The dog may have other problems if he is losing weight and not eating. Good Luck.
2006-07-08 21:31:04 · answer #5 · answered by nursienurse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give him a flea bath and use flea killing products. I believe that fleas can make dogs sick sometimes. He might have some other problem as well but if you can get rid of the fleas. It is important to get the dog to the vet asap! He is obviously miserable.
2006-07-08 21:25:51 · answer #6 · answered by wotsifish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds like more than fleas to me. Way too many things that this could be. Not eating, change in breathing, plus the discharge from the eyes - not good.
This dog can't wait until Monday. Start driving.
2006-07-08 21:42:37 · answer #7 · answered by momma dog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wash him and all of his bedding with flea shampoo. Give him brewers yeast tablets. They won't hurt him. Yes, fleas can make animals sick. I used to bathe my dog 2-3 x a week when she had fleas. This kept the number down. You may also wish to bomb his home (without him in it of course). Hopefully Monday will come soon. Good Luck
2006-07-08 21:29:17 · answer #8 · answered by wanninonni 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Advantage flea killer. Works in about two hours. Heavy infestation may take a little longer. I doubt you can get it before Monday. Fleas can make your pet miserable. Perhaps flea soap until then.
2006-07-08 21:27:23 · answer #9 · answered by Paleo C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can bathe him even if you dont have any flea shampoo use any hand soap to suds him up and you MUST let him soak in the soap for at least 10 minutes to kill(sufficate) the fleas please do that look at his gums if they are white he is probably flea animic which is low blood count because too many fleas eating his blood!!! you MUST treat your house and yard too or it wont help but for a few hours mabey basicly untill new ones jump on him again.
2006-07-08 21:32:20 · answer #10 · answered by Bekah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋