In recent years, the number of bed bug infestations has increased remarkably. Bed bugs have humans as their main host, although they can also bite dogs. For this reason, if you have a dog as a pet, you should know what the symptoms are and what treatment is the most common.
The first and most important thing is to know what exactly are bed bugs. They are parasites that feed on blood and have nocturnal habits. They have an exceptional ability to locate hosts, guided by CO2 and heat.
Bedbug bites in dogs
Under normal conditions, they will always bite humans. But if there is no person at home, they can also feed on the blood of dogs. The bite is usually painless, as bed bugs inject saliva with anticoagulant and anesthetic properties. However, a few days after the bite, it is normal for lesions to appear on the skin.
The most common warning sign is very itchy hives. You will observe how your dog continually scratches the affected area, and may even get a wound to try to relieve the itching. In addition, small blisters, redness and hardening of the skin may appear.
Normally, these lesions appear grouped in a specific area, which reflects that the same bug has made several attempts to feed on the animal’s blood. Beyond skin lesions, these parasites do not usually cause complications.
To date, there is no scientific evidence that bed bugs carry disease. However, there are other species that do act as vectors of infectious diseases.
And Do you suspect that your dog has been bitten by a bedbug?go to your trusted veterinarian so that, if necessary, he can apply a treatment to relieve inflammation and itching.
Usually the problem goes well beyond the bites suffered by people and pets, since a bed bug infestation at home is very difficult to eliminate. Most home remedies are not effective and the solution is to hire the services of a company specialized in pest control.
One of the first steps to take is wash all clothes, bedding and clothingas well as the dog’s bed and toys, at a temperature of at least 60 degrees.
