Fleas are tiny bugs that suck the blood of dogs and other furry animals. While there are flea-prevention medicines available to treat your dog on a regular basis, it is still possible that your dog may end up with a flea infection or infestation. This can be uncomfortable for your pup, so you'll want to be vigilant to check for signs of trouble.
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Itching
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When a dog has fleas, it may become very itchy. Itching alone is not a sign that your dog has fleas, this can also be a symptom of mange or other skin conditions. However, fleas tend to congregate around the rear end and hind legs of a dog, so if your dog is itching primarily in those areas, this can be a sign that fleas are the cause.
Flea Dirt
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Fleas can leave behind little specks of feces, called flea dirt. They are usually tiny reddish-black flakes that almost look like a sprinkling of pepper. Flea dirt can be found on your dog or in areas where your dog sits or rests. You can test whether they are flea dirt by putting the flakes on a cotton ball or other cloth and wetting them. If they turn red, it is from the blood the fleas are sucking from your dog; this means that your dog is probably infested.
Swelling and Signs of Infection
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The presence of fleas can lead to a secondary skin infection. The most common sign that a flea infestation has led to a secondary infection is that your dog will have little bumps on the skin; again, infestation primarily appears around the tail and hind legs. You may also see swelling around the area of infection. Even a single flea can cause this type of secondary skin infection if your dog has an allergic reaction.
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