Flea and tick treatment for dogs: an Australian pet owner’s guide

Fleas and ticks might be small, but they can cause big problems for dogs. Fleas can mean much more than an annoying itch, while ticks, particularly paralysis ticks, can cause serious illness and, in some cases, become a medical emergency.

The good news is that, with the right flea and tick prevention treatment, and regular health checks, you can help reduce the risk of flea and tick infestation and the health problems they can cause.

In this guide, we’ll look at why flea and tick prevention matters, the signs worth watching for, the different treatment options available and what to do if you think your dog has a tick. We’ll also explain where pet insurance may be able to help if your dog becomes unwell.

Table of contents

• Why flea and tick treatment for dogs matters in Australia
• Recognising the signs of fleas and ticks on your dog
• Flea and tick treatment options for dogs
• Help protect your dog from fleas and ticks
• What to do if you find a tick or suspect tick paralysis
• The role pet insurance can play in your dog’s care

Why flea and tick treatment for dogs matters in Australia

Dogs can come across fleas and ticks at various times throughout their lives. How likely that is depends on things like where you live, where your dog spends time, and their lifestyle.

And while fleas and ticks can sometimes seem like a minor problem, they can cause significant health issues for dogs. Flea bites can cause irritation and skin problems in some dogs, while others may develop flea allergy dermatitis. Ticks can also cause serious illness. Paralysis ticks, in particular, can cause severe illness that may be fatal without prompt vet treatment.

The dangers of fleas

Fleas can cause significant discomfort for dogs. Some dogs are particularly sensitive to proteins in flea saliva and develop what’s known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).

In affected dogs, even a small number of flea bites can cause intense itching, hair loss, and skin irritation or crusting, particularly around the lower back, tail, and hind legs. Excessive scratching can also damage the skin and lead to secondary infections.

Fleas can cause other health problems too. In puppies, older dogs, or dogs with underlying health conditions, a heavy flea infestation can cause enough blood loss to lead to anaemia.

Why ticks should be taken seriously

Australia is home to several species of tick, but the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is one of the most important tick species for Australian dog owners to be aware of. Paralysis ticks are most established along Australia’s east coast, from north Queensland down through Victoria, and can be active throughout the year in warmer areas. As the tick feeds, it releases a toxin that affects the nervous system. Without prompt vet treatment, tick paralysis can be fatal.

Signs of tick paralysis may include:

• Weakness or wobbliness, particularly in the hind legs
• Difficulty standing up
• A change in the sound of your dog’s bark
• Coughing, gagging, retching, or vomiting
• Excessive drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing

Signs can progress quickly and should be treated as an emergency. If you suspect your dog may be showing signs of tick paralysis, contact your vet immediately.

In cooler southern areas, ticks are generally more active from spring through to late autumn, although weather conditions can affect when they’re around.

Ticks can carry disease as well. The brown dog tick can spread ehrlichiosis, a serious disease caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia canis. Ehrlichiosis has been found in parts of northern and central Australia. If you’re travelling with your dog, particularly through affected areas, it’s worth checking the latest state or territory biosecurity advice before you go.

Signs of ehrlichiosis may include:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Sore or cloudy eyes
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Unusual bruising or bleeding, including nosebleeds

If something doesn’t seem right with your dog, contact your vet promptly. There’s currently no vaccine for ehrlichiosis, so it’s important to seek your vet’s advice if your dog develops signs that concern you.

Suspected cases should also be reported to your vet or the National Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Recognising the signs of fleas and ticks on your dog

Knowing what’s normal for your dog makes it easier to notice when something isn’t quite right. And when it comes to fleas and ticks, recognising the signs early can help you seek advice promptly.

With fleas, keep an eye out for small, dark specks (often called ‘flea dirt’) in your dog’s coat or on their bedding. You’re particularly likely to find them around the base of the tail, around the ears, and belly. Other clues include red or irritated skin, patches of hair loss, and more scratching, licking, or nibbling at the skin than usual. Not sure whether those little black specks are dirt or something else? Comb a few onto a damp tissue. If they turn reddish-brown, they’re likely to be flea dirt, which contains digested blood.

With ticks, regular checks are particularly important if you live in or travel through tick-prone areas. Ticks can vary in size and may feel like a small lump on your dog’s skin. While they’re commonly found around the face, ears, neck, and collar area, they can attach anywhere on the body. When checking your dog, be sure to search all areas of their body, including skin folds, between the toes, under the tail, around the eyes and lips, under the collar, and in the armpit and groin areas.

If you find a tick on your dog, remove it promptly and continue checking for any others. If you’re unsure how to remove a tick safely, your vet can show you the best technique. Keep your dog calm and quiet and contact your vet for advice as soon as possible. Remember to continue checking for additional ticks, as some dogs can have more than one tick attached at the same time.

Flea and tick treatment options for dogs

There’s no single ‘best’ flea and tick treatment for dogs. What works well for one dog may not be the right choice for another. Factors such as a dog’s age, health, lifestyle, and risk of exposure may all play a role in helping your vet determine which prevention option is most appropriate.

A range of flea and tick prevention products are available. Your vet can help explain the different options and what may be suitable for your dog.

Oral treatments

Oral flea and tick treatments are one option available for dogs. Products vary, so it’s important to follow the product instructions and seek your vet’s advice if you have any questions.

Spot-on treatments

Spot-on treatments are applied directly to the skin, usually between a dog’s shoulder blades. Different products work in different ways, so it’s important to use them according to the product instructions.

Collars and other options

Flea and tick collars may also be an option for some dogs. A range of prevention products are available, and the most appropriate choice will depend on your dog’s individual circumstances. If you’re unsure which flea and tick prevention option is right for your dog, your vet can provide advice.

It’s also important to use flea and tick products only on the animal they’re intended for and according to the label directions. The most appropriate product and dose can vary between pets based on factors such as species, age, weight, and health status. If you have cats in the household, take extra care, as some products intended for dogs can be highly toxic, and even fatal, to cats. If you’re unsure which product is appropriate for your pet, speak with your vet before use.

Help protect your dog from fleas and ticks

While flea and tick treatment is important, there are a few everyday habits that can add another layer of protection:

• Make tick checks part of the routine. Regularly check your dog for ticks, paying close attention to their head, ears, neck, collar area, between their toes, and under their tail. This is particularly important if you live in or travel through tick-prone areas.
• Keep the backyard tidy. Keeping grass short and reducing access to dense, bushy vegetation can help limit exposure to ticks. Clearing leaf litter and compost from areas your dog frequents can help too.
• Give bedding a regular wash. Washing your dog’s bedding and vacuuming floors and furniture regularly can reduce the risk of flea eggs and larvae hiding in the environment.
• Treat every pet in the household. If you’ve got more than one pet, keeping up with recommended flea prevention for all pets can help reduce the risk of parasites spreading between animals.
• Groom your dog regularly. Regular grooming can be a useful opportunity to check your dog’s ears, armpits, paws, and coat for fleas, ticks, or signs of irritation.
• Don’t forget the environment. Fleas don’t just live on pets. Even after fleas have been treated on your dog, flea eggs, larvae, and pupae can remain in the environment. Treating your dog without also addressing the home environment may increase the risk of reinfestation. Washing bedding and regularly vacuuming floors, furniture, and other areas where your dog spends time can help reduce this risk. Your vet can advise on the most appropriate approach to environmental flea control if your dog develops a flea infestation.

What to do if you find a tick or suspect tick paralysis

If you find a tick on your dog, remove it promptly and continue checking for any others. Keep your dog calm and quiet and contact your vet for advice as soon as possible. If you’re unsure how to remove a tick safely, ask your vet to show you the best way to do this.

If your dog is weak or wobbly, vomiting, coughing, gagging, experiencing a change in their bark, or showing any other signs that concern you, don’t wait to see whether they improve. Tick paralysis can progress quickly and should be treated as an emergency. Contact your vet immediately.

Don’t give your dog food or water if you suspect tick paralysis, as their ability to swallow may be affected. Keep them as calm and still as possible, as exercise or stress may make their condition worse.

Dogs with suspected tick paralysis require urgent vet attention and may need ongoing treatment and monitoring.

The role pet insurance can play in your dog’s care

Unexpected vet visits can be stressful enough without worrying about the bill as well. Pet insurance can help cover eligible vet costs if your dog becomes ill or injured, providing some financial relief when you need it most.

With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can customise your cover to suit your pet’s needs and your budget by choosing the annual cover limit, benefit percentage, and excess that works for you.

You can also choose to add Routine Care cover to your pet’s policy. This helps with some of the more predictable parts of looking after your dog, covering one annual health check, routine vaccinations, and microchipping if needed.

To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pet, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.

Disclaimer

As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.

References

[1] Merck Veterinary Manual. Flea Allergy Dermatitis in Dogs and Cats. Available from: merckvetmanual.com – Flea Allergy Dermatitis in Dogs and Cats

[2] RSPCA Australia. Understanding fleas and their impact on companion animals. Available from: rspca.org.au – Understanding fleas and their impact on companion animals

[3] The University of Sydney. Ticks. Available from: sydney.edu.au – Ticks

[4] The University of Sydney. Tick paralysis. Available from: sydney.edu.au – Tick paralysis

[5] Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Ehrlichiosis in dogs: information for veterinarians. Available from: agriculture.gov.au – Ehrlichiosis in dogs: veterinarians

[6] RSPCA Australia. How do I stop my pet from getting fleas? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pet-ownership/how-do-i-stop-my-companion-animal-from-getting-fleas

[7] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves first long-acting flea and tick treatment for dogs. Available from: fda.gov – FDA approves first long-acting flea and tick treatment for dogs

[8] Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Flea and tick prevention. Available from: vet.cornell.edu – Flea and tick prevention

[9] RSPCA Australia. How can I protect my dog or cat from tick paralysis? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: kb.rspca.org.au – How can I protect my dog or cat from tick paralysis?

[10] RSPCA Australia. What is Ehrlichiosis? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: kb.rspca.org.au – What is Ehrlichiosis?

[11] RSPCA Australia. Why and how should I groom my dog? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: kb.rspca.org.au – Why and how should I groom my dog?

[12] The University of Sydney. Fleas. Available from: sydney.edu.au – Fleas