How to protect your dog from mosquitoes? Choosing repellents or traditional methods

What is the danger

A mosquito is a small, blood-sucking insect that also leaves itchy marks on the animal's skin. Nature took care of four-legged animals, giving them long and thick hair. But even such a dense barrier will not be able to provide complete protection. Smooth-haired breeds generally have no chance of self-rescue and therefore the owner must be able to choose an effective remedy for the animals.

Important!

Most often, mosquitoes attack dogs in the ears, nose and even eyes.

An itchy bump on the body after a bite is far from the worst danger from a mosquito bite. These insects are carriers of dangerous diseases. These include various kinds of invasive diseases that arise as a result of parasites entering the body. If such an infection is ignored, the animal may die.

Choosing the best mosquito repellent for dogs

Mosquitoes cause trouble not only for humans, but also for their four-legged friend. It is the owner’s responsibility to protect his animal from annoying insects and provide him with a comfortable and healthy life. In specialized stores or pharmacies you can buy a mosquito repellent for dogs that is suitable for the individual characteristics of your pet.

The need to use mosquito repellent for dogs

Pesky mosquitoes often prefer the blood of animals that are unable to protect themselves on their own. For the owner, bites on his pet go unnoticed, while the dog suffers from itching and has a hard time enduring insect attacks.

Short-haired breeds, which lack a natural protective barrier, often suffer from mosquito attacks, but those with long hair also have vulnerable spots: muzzle, ears, nose. Sverbezh is far from the only trouble that appears after mosquito bites. There are also more serious consequences, and some of them even pose a danger to the life of the animal:

• allergic reaction to a bite. It manifests itself as severe itching, the dog literally tears at the affected area. The skin swells; if there are several bites, quite serious swelling may occur and the body temperature will rise. An acute allergic reaction may be accompanied by suffocation, convulsions, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and disorientation;
• dirofilariasis. Infection with helminths is the most dangerous consequence, which can lead to the death of the animal. Heartworms are a special type of parasite that live under the skin, in the muscles, in the lungs and sometimes even in the heart of a dog. It can reach a size of 30 cm. Without proper treatment, parasites in a dog’s body develop quite quickly and can provoke thrombosis or embolism.

In addition, mosquitoes spread a lot of other diseases - West Nile fever, eastern and western equine encephalitis, systemic lupine erythema. There is no guarantee that your dog will not contract a particular disease, so it is better to prevent it than to look for a way to cure it later.

Classification of funds

In order to avoid having to save the health or even the life of your pet, it is better to take care in advance of purchasing a reliable means of protection against blood-sucking creatures. This issue is especially relevant with the onset of warmer weather and the season of traveling out of town.

Mosquito sprays for dogs are as convenient to use as possible.

Modern mosquito repellents are presented in convenient forms and doses. It is necessary to choose the most suitable product from the offered range, because not all drugs are equally suitable for animals. The most common are:

• sprays are preparations in the form of aerosols for active dogs. Valid from a week to a month. They are effective against both mosquitoes and other insects, including fleas and ticks. After treatment with the spray, the dog cannot be bathed, since most of the preparations dissolve in water and lose their properties. If you are outdoors and the animal takes a dip in a pond, you should reapply the product. Spray the entire fur, ears, belly and face, after closing the eyes;
• Drops are repellents convenient for one-time use when traveling or on vacation. Suitable for small dogs. They are used by applying a certain dose to the withers of the animal. If the dog is large in size, several places on the body should be treated at once. The effect of the drops is designed for up to 2 months; these are mainly waterproof products that continue to act even after water procedures or rain;
• Collars are special accessories for dogs that protect against mosquitoes using sound signals or special impregnation of the material. The effect of collars is the longest, lasting up to six months. By purchasing it at the beginning of the season, you don’t have to worry about protecting your pet all summer long. Manufacturers recommend leaving the mosquito collar on, even at home.

The choice of mosquito repellents for dogs should be based on certain rules:

• age and weight of the animal. The instructions specify age criteria, as well as the required dosages;
• for puppies and pregnant dogs there is a special group of drugs with a specific composition;
• individual characteristics of the animal, the presence of diseases or allergies to the components of the selected product.

Repellents intended for humans should not be used on dogs. They contain toxic substances, and if an animal licks them, the consequences can be very tragic.

The Most Effective Mosquito Sprays for Dogs

Mosquito repellents are the most popular among dog owners. They are easy to use, effective, and there is a huge selection available.

1. BloechNet. A series of drugs for animals of any breed. There are preparations for small animals whose weight does not exceed 10 kg, as well as for those prone to allergies. Mosquito spray for dogs has a wide spectrum of action. The drug lasts for about a month. In the first 3 days after treatment, the animal should not be bathed or let out in the rain.
2. Frontline. The active ingredients are fipronil and permethrin. They complement each other's actions well, causing paralysis and death in parasites. The spray protects the animal for 1-2 months. You cannot pet your dog for 12 hours after spraying; bathing is not recommended for 3 days.
3. Green Fort. A natural product containing essential oils. This allows the spray to be used by pregnant dogs, nursing dogs and puppies. Natural preparations are not as effective and require frequent use, at least once a week.

Before purchasing a spray, be sure to read the instructions in the package insert or consult with the seller.

What means of protection are there?

Mosquito repellents for dogs

The owner can only choose an effective method to protect the dog from mosquitoes and midges through experience. There are a lot of options for this. When selecting a product, you must take into account the age and weight of the pet. Each drug is always accompanied by detailed instructions for use, which must be studied.

To save your dog from mosquitoes you can use:

1. Sprays.
2. Drops.
3. Collars.
4. Traditional methods.

To ensure complete safety of the dog, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment. In this case, the risk of catching a dangerous infection and encountering difficulties in eliminating the consequences after bites is significantly reduced.

Collars

Anti-mosquito dog collars

A special device that will protect against mosquitoes using sound signals or special impregnation of the manufacturing material. Manufacturers recommend not removing the mosquito collar even while at home.

Various natural oils of citronella, eucalyptus, geranium, cedar or chemical reagents can be used as an insecticide.

Insect repellent sprays, lotions and aerosols

The most popular and easy to use drugs. You can spray the product on anything: clothes, body, head (hair), any objects in the room (except heating devices and elements).

Minuses:

• it is necessary to provide protection for the eyes and respiratory tract when spraying;
• not all drugs are approved for children;
• used in limited quantities during the day/night;
• sometimes have a pungent odor.

Drugs in this group provide protection for 5-6 hours or more and have a 100% result. Some repellents are alcohol-based and do not contain additional caring ingredients, so they require the subsequent use of nourishing creams (after taking a bath or shower) to moisturize the skin. Spray lotions contain skin softening components. Sprays have been developed for treating clothing, tents, etc. with a significant period of protection.

Ointment, gel, foam, balm and cream against mosquitoes and midges

Ointments, gels, foams, creams, etc. – the most commonly used drugs after aerosols and sprays. They can be applied to the body, face, hands (avoiding contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes). The advantage compared to spray forms is the virtual absence of an unpleasant irritating odor.

Minuses:

• in the case of a dense texture, stains may appear on clothes and linens;
• short-term protection (only a few hours);
• unprotected areas under clothing.

This is an ideal choice for people with delicate, sensitive skin and children. Many drugs can be used by patients with allergies (see instructions for the product); they have a complex effect and include essential oils and other natural substances.

Fumigators, spirals, candles and bracelets are also used against mosquitoes and midges. A large assortment of a wide variety of drugs to protect against insect bites can be found in Stolichka pharmacies. Please also pay attention to the availability of a variety of preparations (creams, gels, etc.) intended for treating the skin after bites.

BlochNet

An insecticide-based product for animals has a wide spectrum of action. Available in the form of a spray, drops. Protects against mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects.

Use mosquito repellent spray for dogs outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. The can is held at arm's length, with 15 cm remaining to the fur. During treatment, care must be taken to ensure that the drug does not get into the eyes, mucous membranes of the mouth, or nose.

Dog protection lasts for about a month. The effectiveness depends on the number of times your pet is bathed. You should not do water treatments for 3 days after treating the animal; you should not let it out into the rain for 2 hours after spraying. Preparations for protecting dogs from mosquitoes BlochNet Drops differ from sprays only in the composition of the auxiliary components. It should be applied to the withers, or along the spine so that the animal cannot lick off the product. Within 2 hours, the active components enter the bloodstream and are distributed throughout the body. The protection begins to take effect 3 hours after treating the dog.

BlochNet is produced against mosquitoes for cats; it differs in the concentration of the active component. The validity period is the same.

The drug should not be used by pregnant or lactating females, puppies under 12 months, sick or weakened animals.

Drops

Repellents for dogs in the form of drops

Drops are recommended for use on pets no younger than 2 months. After application, be sure to allow the drug to absorb and begin to act.

I recommend: Long-haired dogs: how to care for their coat

Advantix

After application, unwanted insects will be eliminated for at least a month. The maximum validity period is 6 weeks. Produced by Bayer. Price 600 rubles. The active ingredients of Advantix are permethrin and imidacloprid.

Effitics

Frontline

The Frontline series is a new generation of products that have gained recognition around the world. Dogs are protected by fipronil and permethrin. The substances complement each other’s actions, act on the nervous system of parasites, causing paralysis and death.

Frontline Tri Act spray is distributed throughout the animal's fur and provides protection against blood-sucking insects for 1 to 2 months. The dog should be splashed outdoors. You cannot pet your pet for 12 hours; bathing is allowed after 3 days.

It differs from other drugs in that it does not penetrate into the general bloodstream, which reduces the likelihood of side effects. The active components are concentrated in the hair follicles and the upper layers of the skin.

Green Fort

Biological, natural preparation based on essential oils. The composition includes citronella, lavender, cinnamon, cloves. Available in the form of spray and drops. Natural repellents for dogs can be used by pregnant and lactating females and small puppies. Mosquito repellents for pets The effectiveness of biological products is somewhat lower than insecticides. The dog must be treated in dry weather and the procedure must be repeated every week. The main advantage is that GreenFort has no contraindications, except for individual intolerance to the components.

Creolin, Tsiperil

The preparations contain the insecticide cypermethrin. Upon contact with it, insects begin to paralyze and die. The products are available in the form of a concentrated solution. It must be diluted in the required dosage with water immediately before use.

On a note!

The drugs are used not only in the fight against blood-sucking insects, but are also used to treat skin diseases and fungal infections. It is recommended to use the products under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Kiltix

Mosquito collar from the German company Bayer, known throughout the world. Available in 3 sizes, yellow. It contains 2 active components – flumethrin, propoxur. Accumulates in the epidermis and hair follicles.

The effect of the collar begins within 2 days, as the active substances are distributed. It does not have a repellent effect; mosquitoes land on the animal’s fur, come into contact with the toxic substance, and die. According to the manufacturers, the collar retains its properties for 7 months.

Protection with folk remedies

You can save your dog from mosquitoes without using expensive professional medications. It is enough to take a few minutes of free time and prepare an effective remedy with your own hands.

• Vanillin is dissolved in water, poured into a spray bottle, and the dog's fur is sprayed against mosquitoes either completely or in a certain place - along the ridge.
• Dilute 25 ml of birch tar in 1 liter of water at room temperature. Wool should be processed. The protection lasts for several days against any blood-sucking insects.
• Essential oils for mosquitoes: geranium, cloves, lavender, citronella. The dog must be smeared daily. It is allowed to carry out the procedure indoors. Pull back the fur and apply oil to the skin. A few drops in the area of ​​the head and withers are enough.

Human repellents cannot be used to protect dogs from mosquitoes, but children's repellents up to one year old are allowed. Every owner is obliged to rid their pets of blood-sucking insects. When choosing an effective remedy, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the body, age, weight, and health status. If the dog has been bitten by mosquitoes and midges, it is necessary to provide the animal with qualified assistance.

Human infection

A person can also become infected from his pet with various diseases that were transmitted to him from a mosquito. But for this procedure it is necessary that the mosquito initially infects the dog, and then after about 2 weeks in warm weather (+14 C) bites the person. Most often, a person gets heartworm disease from a dog through a mosquito.

Once in the blood, the larva soon outgrows and settles in some secluded corner of our body. The only time it can be dangerous is when it settles in a vital area.

How to make a repellent for mosquitoes, midges and other insects at home

Essential oils against mosquitoes, wasps, ticks, fleas, flies, and midges will help reduce contact with chemicals - the use of natural substances is effective in nature and at home. Natural essential essences contain many biologically active components and are characterized by a specific odor.

The persistent aroma allows you to get rid of annoying insects absolutely safely for health and for a long time. When choosing a product, it is recommended to consider the following: Eucalyptus, basil, citronella, cloves, lavender, thyme, livzea - ​​these are universal remedies that act on all groups of arthropods.

Geranium, palmarosa, lavender and geranium protect against ticks, which is important when relaxing in nature, on hikes, on picnics. Citronella, mint, cedar, lavender, eucalyptus, sassafrasal get rid of flies. Orange eliminates fleas - a drop of the drug can be applied to the withers of pets animals.

Sagebrush

The intense bitter-herbaceous smell of wormwood quickly repels insects such as midges, flies, wasps, cockroaches, and it protects against ants no less effectively. Essential oil can be used both at home and in the country, placing it in an aroma holder.

The product in an amount equal to 10 drops is combined with base oil and used for its intended purpose.

Clove oil is characterized by a tart aroma, which is pleasant to humans, but has a detrimental effect on ticks and mosquitoes.

The drug is safe for children and adults.

It is recommended to apply a few drops to clothing when going to the forest, park areas, or public gardens. And also dilute 2 drops of oil in 1 tbsp. l of any base oil and apply to exposed skin.

Mint will help get rid of the clouds of midges that pester a person in the evening hours both in the countryside and in the city.

Lavender can be considered one of the most powerful remedies.

Essential oils against mosquitoes based on this plant not only protect against insects (from moths and their larvae, wood lice, bedbugs), but also help relieve nervous excitement.

For home use, you can prepare the following product: place 200 ml of water and 1 tsp in a bottle with a spray nozzle. lavender essential oil. The drug is sprayed indoors twice a day.

Cedar and fir

Coniferous varieties are also effective against mosquitoes and small flies. To treat the skin, you can prepare an oily substance.

It is recommended to regularly treat your home with geranium oil against various domestic parasites, such as body lice, bedbugs, and fleas.

The drug is diluted in 100 ml of alcohol (1 tsp) and placed in a container with a spray bottle. The product is sprayed on bedding, cabinet shelves, crevices, mattresses, pillows and other places where insects can hide.

Rosemary can be added to shampoos and hair conditioners to prevent lice infestation, which is especially important for students, schoolchildren and children in kindergartens.

Using an oil product in aroma makers will save the house from the penetration of most insects. The most effective and simple method is when essential oils from mosquitoes and other insects are mixed with any base preparation (grape seeds, peach).

Dangerous guest - dust mite

Dust mites are a source of allergens for people in the home, but even noticing this problem is sometimes difficult. Although the insects themselves are not harmful, many people are allergic to their droppings, which are found in mattresses, pillows, carpets and furniture. Between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites live in a single mattress. This type of mite is dangerous for children, as they are more likely to suffer from sensitivity to dust. The study assessed the toxicity, that is, the “poisonousness” of juniper oil and its components for ticks, as well as the effect of 4 spray formulas with concentrations from 10 to 40 mg/l. In biotesting, the most toxic compounds for insects were methyl eugenol and guaiacol, the indicators of these substances were comparable to those of a traditional repellent. The use of 30 or 40 mg/l experimental sprays provided 96 and 100% lethality, which is higher than that of traditional means. The result is achieved through the action of evaporation (Kim, Perumalsamy, Shin, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea, 2017).

The following work evaluated the effect of basil essential oil against ticks. The experiment used 1, 2, 3 and 4% sprays based on this substance. Their results were then compared with the results of treatment with permethrin, a standard drug for repelling and killing ticks. It turned out that the use of 3 and 4% sprays provided 97 and 100% mortality of ticks, respectively, while permethrin at a concentration of 2.5 g/liter of spray treatment resulted in 17% mortality. Basil oil can be a natural way to get rid of the problem (Perumalsamy, Kim, Kim, Hwang, Ahn, Seoul National University, South Korea, 2014).

Mosquitoes protection

Mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects are dangerous for dogs due to the fact that they serve as intermediate hosts for the biohelminth dirofilaria. Dirofilariasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease characterized by cardiac, hepatic and renal complications. Just a few years ago, data on cases of dirofilariasis were only in the Far East and in the southern regions: in Russia in the Rostov region, Krasnodar region, the Republic of Adygea, Stavropol region. In Europe - in Greece and Bulgaria. But recently, sick animals are increasingly appearing in the Moscow region and Moscow. In Europe, the geography of their habitat, alas, has also expanded (picture from the ESCCAP (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites) website):

Dirofilariasis is an invasive disease caused by round helminths of the genus Dirofylaria. Dogs are parasitized by two species - D. immitis and D. repens, which differ in that in the mature form (helminths themselves), the former are localized in the cavities of the heart and large vessels (pulmonary artery, aorta), and the latter - in the subcutaneous tissue, although occasionally can also be found in unusual places: eyes, brain, abdominal cavity and spinal cord. Larvae - microfilariae travel through the blood, concentrating on the periphery in the morning and evening hours, since mosquitoes are especially active in attacking at this time. Three days after the bite, most of the larvae are in the subcutaneous tissues. By day 21, most of the larvae have migrated into the dog's abdominal tissues; by day 41, they migrate between muscle fibers and penetrate the veins, which carry them to the heart and lungs. At the final stage, on day 50, up to 70% of the worms reach the pulmonary vessels. At 90 – 120 days they are 1 to 1.5 inches long. After this, the female worms will increase in length by almost ten times. They become sexually mature 120 days after infection. When preventing diroflariasis, we kill monthly larvae in the skin with sizes ranging from 1.09-1.65 mm or during migration between muscles, etc. (slightly larger). With prophylaxis once every 3 months, the death of the larvae will already occur in the vessels of the lungs, when the size of the larvae is more than 20 mm. (Source: American Heartworm Society website www.heartwormsociety.org)

Bayer has a graphic, creepy cartoon showing how microflaria enter a dog’s body and develop there. Dogs in regions that are permanently affected by dirofilariasis must undergo annual diagnostics: – Blood test for the presence of microfilariae (microscopic examination or Knott test). Feature: detects all microfilariae present in the blood, regardless of genus and species (this can be not only representatives of the genus Dirofilaria). But microfilariae in the blood will be detected in this test only when both males and females are parasitized at the same time. – Enzyme immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, which can be used to detect antibodies to heartworms or the antigen itself. – Rapid tests for immunochromatographic detection of D. immitis agents in blood serum, blood plasma and whole blood of dogs. – Additional studies: indirect fluorescence methods, chest x-ray, echocardiography, angiography. It is very important to apply one or another treatment regimen based on a specific type of heartworm: when applying a loading dose of angelmint to an animal (especially a small one) affected by D. immitis, there is a risk of intense blockage of blood vessels by dead heartworms, which can lead to extremely serious consequences.

Prevention of dirofilariasis

All prophylactic agents for the fight against diroflaria currently belong to the macrocyclic lactone (ML) class of drugs: these are moxidectin, ivermectin and milbemycin oxime for monthly oral administration or in the form of drops on the withers. The life cycle of heartworms determines the frequency of prevention - once a month. The prophylactic dose is 0.006 mg (6 mcg) per kg of dog weight. Treatment begins a month before the start of the mosquito and midge flight season and is completed no earlier than 1 month after the end of the insect flight. Before using drugs that destroy mature heartworms, it is imperative to test for their presence in the blood! In case of a positive test, treatment should only be carried out under the supervision of veterinarians!

Restrictions when applying anti-tick drops to the withers

1. The drugs are contraindicated for use in case of increased individual sensitivity to the components of the drug (consult a veterinarian)
2. If it is necessary to use the drug for Collie, Bobtail and Sheltie puppies, due to the increased sensitivity of dogs of these breeds to drugs, treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian.
3. It is prohibited for use by patients with infectious diseases, weakened animals and puppies younger than N weeks of age (see drug) and/or weighing less than 1-2 kg.
4. It is not recommended to take the drugs together with other insectoacaricidal agents.

What to do if your dog is bitten by an insect?

It is important to quickly determine whether a dog has been bitten or stung. If a dog suddenly begins to scratch its face, chew its legs, or any part of its body begins to swell, then it can be considered that it has been bitten by an insect.

Identify the insect. Look around, there may be a lot of flying or crawling insects around.

For bee stings, look at the sting. Bees are the only insects that leave their stings in their victims. These stings that are left behind continue to release venom, so removing them reduces the maximum amount of venom a dog can receive.

You can remove the sting with a simple credit card by simply running the tip over your pet's fur a few times. Do not use tweezers, as this may cause you to squeeze out more venom. Fortunately, other flying insects (wasps and hornets) do not leave their stings at the site of the bite.

Soothe the bite area. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the bite.

Minimize swelling. Apply ice to the bite site for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. For large bites, a cold, damp towel is best.

Prevent an allergic reaction. Give your dog a small dose of an antihistamine (such as diphenhydramine) to minimize the reaction and reduce itching. Consult your veterinarian about the appropriate dosage for your pet.

Reduce the trauma of scratching. If the dog continues to lick or scratch the bite site, use a special cone collar. Constant scratching will delay healing and increase the chance of infection.

Maintain your dog's water and food intake. Give your dog fresh water. Dogs that have been stung in the mouth often have difficulty eating dry food, so it can be softened with warm water.

About clean environment

In addition to products that protect your pets from mosquitoes, there are many products whose task is to completely prevent bloodsuckers from entering your private territory.

Don't forget about gutters! Leaves and other debris clog the holes and rainwater accumulates in the pipes - an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Faulty faucets, pipes and air conditioners can leak and leave puddles in open and hidden areas. Record risk areas and check them at least once every two days, removing accumulated moisture.

If you have a small artificial pond or swimming pool, be sure to change the water twice a week. These are the most popular habitats for young mosquitoes.

If there is an empty inflatable pool on the site or some objects or structures are covered with polyethylene or tarpaulin, check these places - rainwater is probably accumulating there, since waterproof materials do not allow it to go into the ground.

If you water your garden manually or using automatic irrigation systems in the summer, make sure that water does not accumulate in low areas, between beds, in holes and ditches.

Water conducive to mosquito breeding can accumulate in the most unexpected places: in an old mailbox, potholes in the road, cavities and openings in building structures. Such places need to be found, drained and sealed.

Signs of an attack

Do mosquitoes bite dogs? The answer is yes. Puppies and dogs with short hair are especially susceptible to attack. But dogs with thick fur often suffer from bloodsuckers. The presence of bites can be determined by the animal’s behavior and external signs.

After a bite, the female injects a special secretion that prevents blood from clotting and makes feeding easier. The body reacts to damage to the skin or the introduction of a foreign substance with an allergy. The degree of its manifestation depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the sensitivity of the skin.

On a note!

During a normal reaction, swelling, redness, and itching appear on the pet’s body. The size of the blister is no more than 5 mm. The bites are placed randomly. Pests bite on the neck, back, ears, and muzzle. If a mosquito bites the eye, severe swelling and watery eyes appear. Photos of mosquito bites on dogs are presented below.

When is an insect bite a serious danger?

Like some people, many dogs suffer from allergies (hypersensitivity) to insect bites. The level of reaction depends on the dog's immune system and the type of insect. The allergic reaction usually occurs within 20 minutes of the bite, but can sometimes take several hours to occur, so careful monitoring of the dog is often critical.

Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) can be fatal, so acting quickly is again critical.

Your dog will need emergency veterinary care at the first sign of:

1. Severe swelling of the head and neck, which may make breathing difficult. Swelling of these areas can occur even if the bite was elsewhere.
2. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some dogs may pant more than usual because the tumor is in the airway. Do not try to find out the cause; take your dog to the vet immediately.
3. Excessive drooling. If the swelling is in the throat, the dog may have difficulty swallowing saliva and lets it out.
4. Excessive excitement. Some dogs become restless due to severe itching and difficulty breathing. In addition, insect venom can affect their nervous system.
5. Vomiting or diarrhea. Even mild vomiting and soft stools can indicate serious problems.
6. Dizziness or disorientation. If your dog stumbles or exhibits unusual behavior, this could be a sign of an anaphylactic reaction.
7. Cramps. Don't hesitate and call your doctor.

Drug treatment can save your dog's life and is aimed at reducing the allergic reaction and preventing shock. In addition to antihistamines, your veterinarian may give your dog corticosteroids or epinephrine. The dog may need to be hospitalized and put on an IV, as well as blood and urine tests. The length of your hospital stay depends on your dog's response to therapy, but typically requires at least 1-2 days.

Mosquito repellents for dogs are produced in the form of a spray, aerosol, drops, collars, or prepare the preparations yourself. With the onset of warmer weather, every pet owner thinks about how to protect their dog from mosquitoes and midges. Among the huge range of products, several products stand out. They are mainly used, since the effect of such drugs extends to all blood-sucking insects.

Treating Pets with Tea Tree Oil Poisoning

Unfortunately, there is no antidote for terpene poisoning in pets, and therefore any treatment must be based on the severity of the poisoning. If a pet has developed mild symptoms, simply washing the skin with a specific pet product may be an effective way to treat the condition. However, inducing vomiting in pets is not something that veterinarians recommend due to the urge dangers it poses.

If you suspect your pet has tea tree oil poisoning, you should take them to the vet as soon as possible so they can start intravenous fluids, and if your pet is suffering from seizures or muscle contractions, they will be able to administer the necessary medications better sooner. Later.

The chemicals (terpenes) contained in tea tree pulp affect liver function and therefore any treatment the pet receives should support this as quickly as possible. Treatment should continue for several weeks after diagnosis.

Places prone to insect attack

The severity of the consequences depends on the location of the bite:

• Skin. The easiest of the options. Usually it all ends with the appearance of itching, redness or a small tumor.
• The mucous membrane of the oral cavity. Bites in the sublingual area are especially dangerous.
• Bites often occur in the pet's eye area. The eye may rapidly swell or close completely. The pet will feel a burning sensation, itching, the bite site will become painful, and the eye will turn red. You can often hear the question of what to do if midges bite your pet in the eye? In fact, the treatment process is not very different from helping an animal bite any other part of the body. Experts recommend the use of tetracycline eye ointment.

Why is tea tree oil so toxic to pets?

While the oil has many good properties, it also contains many different chemicals called terpenes. It is these chemicals that are so effective in treating bacterial and fungal conditions, but they are also very toxic. The chemicals are absorbed by the body very quickly, even if the product is used topically and in high concentrations, the oil can cause the same reaction as if it were ingested. Animals that regularly groom themselves, like cats, are at risk of poisoning when they ingest ointment, lotion, or cream that contains high concentrations of oil.

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Algorithm of urgent actions

Experienced dog breeders know what to do if a dog is bitten by a midge.

There are cases of severe allergic reactions after midge bites. The occurrence of certain symptoms should be of particular concern. Immediate veterinary care is required if the pet's breathing becomes difficult and shortness of breath appears; there is copious secretion of saliva; the animal is overly excited; diarrhea or vomiting appeared; disorientation in space, as well as convulsions.

A dog that has been bitten by a midge may need medications from different groups:

• Cardiac drugs (for example, cordiamine).
• Antihistamines that need to be given as intramuscular injections or given in tablet form - suprastin, tavegil, diphenhydramine.
• Diuretic injections – Lasix and others.
• Ointments that soothe itching - lorinden for midge attacks, dermazin or celestoderm. Tetracycline ointment is used for the eyes.

The dosage of all medications depends on the size of the pets.

This is how even a small midge can threaten the lives of pets. Drug treatment helps to minimize allergic manifestations and shock in the animal. Sometimes there is a need to hospitalize the dog and connect it to an IV. Doctors may take blood and urine tests. Treatment in a hospital setting can take two days or more.

Prevention of midge and mosquito bites

In order not to have to urgently save the life of your pet, you should take care in advance to ensure that it is not bitten. Modern insect repellents can help with this.

The pet products market provides owners of dogs and other pets with a wide selection of repellents:

Vanillin (artificial) can also act as a means of repelling mosquitoes and midges, not only from animals, but also from people. It needs to be ground into powder and sprinkled on the animal; Clove oil is considered one of the most effective folk remedies in preventing mosquito and midge bites. You can easily buy it at any pharmacy. Previously, clove-scented cologne was used for the same purpose. In order to protect the animal for a period of three to six hours, you just need to drop one drop on the dog’s head and one drop on the croup; “Smart spray” is positioned by manufacturers as an effective means of protecting animals from a number of insects, however, there are a number of conditions for its use: it cannot be applied to the mucous membrane and irritated areas of the skin; it should be sprayed onto the animal’s fur only in the fresh air, until it is evenly moistened. Manufacturers warn that this product may cause an allergic reaction in the animal;

Advantix - drops against fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. It is a combined insecto-acaricidal preparation in the form of a clear liquid with a weak specific odor. Designed for both puppies and adult dogs. Available in the form of pipettes in blisters. Dosages are calculated based on the weight of the dogs. Has earned many positive reviews from dog breeders; Veterinary expert - drops on the withers to protect against ticks, fleas and dipterous insects. It is also used for the treatment and prevention of entomosis (caused by fleas), acarosis (caused by ticks); Sanofly is a drug intended to protect cattle, horses and dogs from flying insects, ticks and fleas. For dogs, apply to the skin (not to the coat) at the withers in doses corresponding to their weight: up to 10 kg - 1 ml, 10 - 20 kg - 2 ml, 20 - 30 - 3 ml, 30 - 40 - 4 ml and more than 40 kg - 5 ml of product. It should absolutely not be applied to dirty, wet or damaged skin. Dogs should only be treated with it when biting insects are active. Available in special canisters;

There are many other drugs that are marketed as ways to protect animals from insect bites, and more are becoming available every day. When going for a walk, you need to remember the threat posed by midge bites.

The reaction of the animal’s body to such a very painful and by no means harmless bite is purely individual. An allergic reaction to a bite can occur in different ways and can sometimes kill a dog.

It is very important to be truly attentive to your animal in order to notice threatening symptoms in time

You can try to protect the insect with children's repellents that are suitable for humans, however, they can cause allergies or poisoning if the dog accidentally licks the spray or cream from its body. If you decide to use human products, then you need to apply them to places where the animal cannot reach with its tongue (the same applies to all types of insect drops).

Many dog ​​owners perceive mosquito bites as a normal, fleeting phenomenon. Symptoms go away on their own without special treatment. More attention is paid to ticks. However, a simple bite from a small bloodsucker can cause serious health consequences. How to help if your dog has been bitten by mosquitoes depends on the complexity of the symptoms.

Washing with special products

If none of the proposed options suits you, you can try washing your pet after each walk with special products of natural origin. This method will protect your dog from ticks and fleas 100%.

Washing is carried out with several means to choose from:

• Tar soap will help remove ticks from your dog that have not yet burrowed into the skin. Disinfection is carried out due to the main ingredient - birch tar, which will not allow ticks or fleas to settle on the animal. This product can be used even on small puppies, and the soap is absolutely harmless to humans. You can simply soap with your hands, without using protective gloves.
• To protect the animal from parasites, after a walk it is washed with regular shampoo, to which essential oils are added, depending on the container. In a standard bottle of 250-300 ml, only 3-5 drops are enough. The product must be shaken well before application, then the effectiveness will be at the proper level.