How to Get Rid of Fleas on a Teacup Yorkie
Yorkie Terriers have come a long way from the rat-catching dogs of the London to pocket sized pooches who fit perfectly inside any bag. The Yorkie's pint-sized cuteness, however, does not exempt it from fleas. Fleas can affect any animal, but small dogs close to the ground are especially vulnerable. Tiny Teacup Yorkies are no exception and can find themselves particularly itchy during the warmer months, when fleas are most aggressive. Fleas prefer animal blood, but yours will do in a pinch. Prompt flea extermination is critical with small dogs you'd like to cuddle. Eliminating fleas both on your dog's body and in your home.
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Instructions
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Give your Yorkie a flea dip. Fill a warm bath or container with water and pour in the recommended dose. Make sure the water comes up to -- but no higher than -- your Yorkie's neck. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the dip chemicals and flea bites. Submerging your Yorkie up to his neck proves more effective for drowning fleas than using a spray hose or movable shower head. Reach down and massage your dog's fur, especially in the genital and rear region where fleas tend to hide. Never submerge your dogs head in any kind of bath, flea-related or otherwise. Flea dip is available at any major pet store. Ask your vet for a recommended brand to achieve maximum efficacy.
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Soak a wash cloth in the flea dip and use it to saturate your dog's neck, snout and ears. Cover its eyes with a clean washcloth to protect them from the chemicals. Pour the flea dip water over -- but not inside -- its ears. Keep your dog submerged for the recommended amount of time, typically four minutes, then remove it from the bath. Refrain from following up with a shampoo bath, which could dilute the chemicals.
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Dry your dog's fur afterward. Use a blow dryer if it gets cold easily. Monitor your dog's behavior for several hours afterward for signs of allergic reaction, such as tremors or vomiting. Wait at least 24 hours and apply spot treatment to ward off future flea colonies, since spot treatment is most effective on dry skin.
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Vacuum your entire house thoroughly before spraying flea pesticide three inches above the floor or surface where your dog spends most of its time, such as its bed and favorite chair. Vacate your house for four hours after spraying the canister exterminate. Wait one week. If you still see fleas, vacuum again, seal the windows and set off flea bombs in each room of your house right before you leave. Vacate your home for at least 48 hours until the chemicals have settled. Wash all your sheets, towels and clothing upon return to eliminate any chemical residue. Throw out any vacuum contents into a self-sealing plastic bag and place it outside immediately to prevent any re-infestation. Purchase flea bombs and flea spray at any hardware store in the pest section.
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Tips & Warnings
Prevention is the best cure. Particularly with dogs who walk low to the ground, begin applying preventative spot treatments at the first sign of spring. Reapply faithfully every month thereafter, until the temperature becomes cold enough for snow. Fleas are unable to survive freezing temperatures.
References
- Photo Credit Yorky image by Illimity from Fotolia.com
