Learning About Cat Care And Training Learning About Cat Care And Training

If you've recently discovered that you have rodents in the home and you think that your dog may have been exposed to a bite by a rodent, they need to see a vet, no matter how minimal the bite. There are a lot of things that could be wrong that aren't easy to see.

The rodents could have been living in your home for a long time and spreading health concerns for your dog. Here are a few things you need to be weary of if you know your dog was bitten or scratched, or if you know you have rodents in your home.

External Infection

Even though the scratch or bite mark is small, it could still be infected. Rodents carry a lot of disease and often walk through their own feces and urine. You want to have the area cleaned out and examined by a veterinarian, and you want to be sure it doesn't need stitches or dressing to close and protect it. You may need to apply special ointment to the area as well.

Fleas and Ticks

Rodents like mice and rats will bring fleas and ticks into the home. These tiny pests may end up in your dog's fur, causing irritation and even disease. You'll want to have the dog examined for these insects at the visit, and put the dog on a medication to treat fleas and ticks. You should also consider having your house cleaned to prevent fleas and ticks from living around your home after your dog has been treated.

Intestinal Worms

If the dog has eaten any of the rodents that are infected with disease, they could end up with intestinal worms. This will often show up in their feces, and there can be other tests completed at the animal hospital that show them as well. Bacteria from the rodent could kill your dog and you want to have them taken to the animal hospital immediately if they ate a rodent in your home.

Rodents should be treated by professionals if they are a significant problem and you have an infestation. This is to protect everyone living in your home and your pets. If you know that your dog has been exposed to rodents and you fear that their health may be in jeopardy, take your dog to the veterinarian so they can do a physical examination and blood work, to make sure everything with their health is alright. To learn more, contact someone like Gulfport Veterinarian.