As a loving dog parent, you may have heard of puppy mills. These so-called “breeders” are not where you’ll find the healthiest puppies. Unfortunately, puppies from these mills can come with a host of issues, including fleas.
If your puppy is excessively scratching, losing hair, or has flea dirt on their belly, it’s time to see a veterinarian. Other signs of fleas include red patches on the skin and pale gums. It’s important to act quickly to ensure your furry friend receives the care they need.
But fleas aren’t the only issue with puppies from puppy mills. These poor pups can suffer from many other diseases and health problems.
As a responsible and caring dog parent, it’s crucial to be aware of these issues and take action to ensure your furry friend stays healthy and happy.
Can a puppy have fleas from the breeder?
Just as I do, no matter where you adopted the puppy from, you will always be in love with your puppy and care for him just like a toddler,won’t you?
Now, at a moment when the puppy is suffering from fleas, it’s hard to watch, and you might even tear up for your little pooch.
Did you adopt your puppy from a breeder? Answer this for yourself, and let me tell you what this can be.
Puppy mills can be identified as a large-scale industry where puppies are prioritized for financial gains over their well-being.
Moreover, at puppy mills, the genetic factors are most often ignored, which causes trouble to poor pooches as well as dog parents in varied ways.
Proceeding furthermore, many illnesses will be visible in puppies adopted from mills.
These poor pooches can be often subjected to hereditary and contagious diseases due to the unethical practices used in puppy mills. Diseases and illnesses such as,
- Blood-related diseases (Anaemia)
- Heart diseases
- Kidney problems
- Epilepsy
- Respiratory disorders
Moreover, pneumonia, heartworms, ticks, and even “fleas” might be there in these innocent poor little puppies.
Suggested Reading: Will shaving get rid of fleas and ticks on the dogs?
How to confirm if the puppy got fleas from the breeder?
As you might know, fleas are pretty annoying creatures. Your poor little pup is at risk if the fleas get into his body.
Let’s not make the poor pup suffer from fleas, and let’s figure out how to confirm that the puppy has got fleas from the breeder!
At certain times, do you notice your pup scratching and biting herself while moving its head from side to side? If you come across these symptoms, then you better be alert to them!
How can you be the “Sherlocke Holmes” and help your pup out? Let’s go in for a “flea investigation”.
The first thing that you will have to look at is the symptoms. These symptoms include,
- Exessive scratching and itching
- Yeast and bacterial infections
- Anomalous red patches on the skin
- Fleas bite
- Skin infections
- Small bumps
Other than excessive scratching and itching, you might not notice the other symptoms at a glance, even though you might suspect it’s fleas. So, here are several tips to get rid of the suspicion.
1. Careful inspection of the skin.
Puppies’ armpits and groin areas are the faves of these teeny-tiny mini fleas. Look for these mini creatures there and also part the puppy’s body fur to check out for the red patches and little bumps on the skin.
Moreover, at this point, you might even see that the adult fleas are in a bit of a rush as you part the puppy’s fur.
2. Check out for “ flea poop.”
Yes, they poop too, but sadly on the skin of your puppy. Their feces are “reddish-black” in color, which are like tiny little dots.
Wondering why the reddish color is? It is because it is composed of your pooches blood is consumed, and it’s partly digested!
3. Comb,comb,comb
Use a flea comb if you need further confirmation on whether there are fleas or not. The teeth of the comb might capture them if there are any.
Above are just a few ways to confirm if the puppy got fleas from the breeder.
What should you do if a new puppy has fleas from the breeder?
After confirming whether the problem lies with fleas, then we should take the appropriate procedures, isn’t it?
When it comes to fleas, they are not always a medical emergency. There may be very mild flea cases where you can minimize the flea issue at your home premises.
But when should you take your puppy to a veterinarian? Take your pup to the vet; if your pet is,
- Lethargic than usual
- Underweight
- Worms in the stool (most probable tapeworms due to flea infestation)
- Pale gums present
So, if, in any case, you get to see this, immediately take your pooch to the doctor.!
How to remove fleas in puppies?
After all, let’s see how to release our blossom buddies from these mini fleas.
1. Bath, bath, bath
If you seek the first remedy, you can begin with a good bath. A “good bath” will aid in letting the fleas out of the body of the puppies,, which in turn will give some time for the puppy to chill out.
While giving a bath is vital, avoid bathing the pet too often. Moreover, you can use lukewarm water or water with mild soaps. This will aid in reducing the jumping fleas in away.
Furthermore, if you have any plans of using special flea soap or shampoo, it would be less risky if you could talk to your veterinarian.
All puppy skins aren’t the same, are they? Using these special shampoos might make their skin dry and make them allergic to the shampoos, and then you are trapped in another trouble bubble along with the problem of fleas.
2. Use a flea comb
Begin at the puppy’s head and comb until his tail. In this way, it will help to cover up the puppies’ whole body, which will aid in minimizing the fleas all over the body.
After every couple of fleas or flea larvae, grab the flea comb and dip the comb in water and dish soap so that these creatures will not escape.
Moreover, the flea comb will not just remove fleas or flea larvae, but it will also aid in removing flea dirt as well.
If your puppy doesn’t seem willing to use a flea comb, make sure you combine some of his favorite treats to get the work done.
As in, once he agrees to give this a chance, make sure he gets rewards such as kong bones, playtime, and even praise with a head pat.
3. Apple cider vinegar
Now, this might not really kill the fleas, but the annoying creatures are not really going to like this. So, if it’s not toxic to our pooch, why not give it a try?
Dilute apple cider vinegar in water & spray it using a spray bottle or maybe use a smooth brush for the puppy.
When the vinegar is absorbed into the skin, this will acidify the pooch’s skin and make the fleas hate to live in the poor pup’s skin.
4. Regular check-ups
Has your puppy ever had fleas? Then it is indeed vital to comb your blossom buddy’s fur regularly and confirm whether the pooch is free from flea infestations.
5. Homemade pup shampoo
Squeeze a bit of lime juice & add it to your pup’s shampoo for a natural anti-flea shampoo mixture! You can even use essential oils such as tea tree oil, rosemary, or even lavender!
Things to be aware of,
Now, let me remind you few things you might tend to forget but are indeed vital to remember.
1. Fleas are not your pup’s fault
You might tend to think that the pup bought all this trouble to your house and feel like punishing the poor pooch. Think for a while, are they even your pup’s fault?
2. Be cautious
As you have planned to adopt a pup from a breeder, be extra cautious about his health conditions. It’s better to take your pup often for medical checkups in his earlier stages.
This can reduce the risk of health conditions for the dog and ease your lifestyle with your sweet little fur creature.
3. “The right shampoo.”
As I mentioned before, if you are ever going to use shampoo, especially for fleas, it is indeed great if it is recommended by a veterinarian cause if the shampoo is too reactive, it might bruise the sensitive skin of the pup.
Conclusion.
They say, “if you lie down with the dog, you will get up with fleas”, yes it’s a bit of humor adding up over a stressful situation. Therefore, be vigilant to overcome these little buggers and have a stress-free journey with your pup.
In conclusion, I hope I guided you through the journey of whether the puppy can have fleas from the breeder, how to confirm if it does, and how to get rid of it.
Stay connected with us for more exciting facts about your pooch and make them live the most comfortable life with your love forever!
