Without proper care, your dog can fall prey to various harmful insects, and one of the serious threats is midge, which is responsible for painful bug bites in dogs.
So, how to treat midge bites on dogs?
This article will showcase several solutions to this issue and also present severe reactions to midge bites for you to notice.
What are you waiting for? Keep scrolling down for further information!
What Are The Midges?
A midge is a small fly whose appearance bears a strong resemblance to the mosquito.
Midges, ranging from temperate zones and cold areas to arid deserts, could be found everywhere.
In other words, this species has a great capacity for adapting to nearly all harsh environments.
Midges are tiny and put into the category of disease-transmitted animals. You can see them with your naked eyes, but only when you pay attention to them.
Their bites are so small that you can only see them with the help of a magnifier.
That’s why when midges bite your puppy, it hardly notices them until the feeling of itchiness overwhelms it.
A midge will take blood from your dogs and transfer diseases to them via these bites.
Some severe ones include white blood cells, blood parasites, equine allergic dermatitis, or equine onchocerciasis.
Yet don’t worry too much because these cases are rare, and most canines are fine after getting midge bites.
What Are The Signs Of Midge Bites On Dogs?
When bitten by a midge, your pooch soon feels uncomfortable, and some rashes appear on its skin. To alleviate this agonizing sensation, dogs will try to scratch their itchy skin by:
- Rubbing its body against the concrete wall or other solid objects.
- Excessively licking its body, particularly the bitten area.
- Running around an object or growling at you when being moved.
Suppose the bite wound is minor; the itchiness will wear away after a few minutes, and everything is fine.
However, the painful bite can become more severe if left untreated or unhygienic. And here are various symptoms that are worth your consideration.
- Red rashes that spread to the surrounding area on your canine’s body.
- Raised bumps on the dog’s skin.
- Mild swellings around the bites from midges.
- Irritation.
- Diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive drooling.
What Are The Types Of Diseases That Mosquitoes Carry To Dogs?
Everyone knows mosquitoes are harmful creatures by spreading diseases to their hosts via biting. Not only humans but also dogs can be easily bitten by these small species.
One of the dangerous ailments that mosquitoes transfer is heartworm disease, which stems from the growth of a mosquito egg in your canine’s blood.
With the blood flow, this egg travels through its body and gets stuck in the pulmonary arteries, which are located between the two lungs and the heart.
In the early stages, your dog’s health is still not harmed, and it’s hard to notice any abnormal signs.
But when the larva emerges from its egg and develops to its full size, it will take up a lot of space and pressure your furry friend’s heart and lungs.
If this situation is prolonged, its lungs will be pressurized, resulting in breathing difficulty, while the heart also stops beating after suffering from too much stress.
What an awful way to die!
Other common concerns for dogs include the West Nile virus, dengue, malaria, and Zika virus.
It would be best to pay vet visits once per month, and professional doctors will perform a health examination.
How To Treat Midge Bites On Dogs?
It would be best to determine whether midges are the culprit behind your dog’s severe symptoms because they are similar to allergic reactions.
After noticing the above alarming signs, contact a qualified vet to consult her advice or immediately take it to a clinic for an overall check-up.
How to treat dogs bug bites? You’ll receive some pet medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistamines, to treat mild symptoms.
If the disease worsens, other methods, like oxygen therapy, corticosteroids, urine tests, or even surgery, will be more suitable.
During the medical treatment, use a specialized repellent and spray it onto your dog’s body to eliminate all the midge risks.
Remember to spray a sufficient amount; otherwise, it won’t take effect.
How To Prevent Dog Midge Bites?
You’d better apply various preventive measures to protect your canine.
Get Rid Of Standing Water
Standing water is a perfect location for midges to lay eggs, so keeping your pooch away from areas filled with this type of water, such as a backyard or front yard after the rain, is advisable.
Avoid some watery spots along your hikes as well.
Suppose midges or mosquitoes bite it; instantly clean the bitten area. During the cleaning, remember not to use standing water at all costs.
Fan Out
It is also a good idea to place your puppies in front of the fan. Midges are terrible flyers when they have to confront the strong currents of the fan.
In this case, a fan box is an effective tool to sway the danger of midges and even mosquitoes.
Use A Pet-Safe Midge Repellent
Relying on a midge repellent is strongly recommended by many experts.
A specialized repellent is very effective at stopping the attack of midges, thanks to chemical scents that upset them.
Before using one specific type of repellent, you must consult the advice of your dog’s vet. Some products were not created for dog use by containing unsuitable ingredients.
Due to a wrong use, your canine can be harmed, even leading to death.
Use The Year-Round Heartworm Prevention
As mentioned earlier, heartworm is the worst disease, and you must prevent and treat it properly before the ailment worsens.
When you realize something is wrong with your puppy, ask your vet to help.
She will prescribe heartworm-preventative medicines based on the signs and health conditions.
Don’t panic when using it, as dogs rarely have a diarrhea reaction to heartworm medication.
When To Take Your Dog To The Vet?
It seems unnecessary to take your dog to a vet for mild symptoms, as the disease will wear away soon, or you can treat it at home.
However, when the problem jeopardizes your pooch’s life, don’t hesitate to contact a professional vet instantly and bring your dog in so she can monitor it over time.
You are advised to check your canine’s health about once per month or once every two months. Prevention is better than cure!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Natural Ingredients Used To Treat Midge Bites On Dogs?
Honey is the best natural remedy to alleviate the pain brought by midges that your dog has to suffer. The use of herbal remedies is also an ideal option to treat bug bites on dogs.
How Long Does It Take For A Midge Bite On Your Dog To Heal?
The minor bite gets swollen and itchy, but this uncomfortable feeling will be relieved after a few minutes.
For serious bites that spread diseases to your canine, the facial swelling is difficult to heal immediately, often lasting about 2-3 days.
How To Tell Whether A Mosquito Bite Will Be A Problem?
For the most part, mosquito bites are harmless. Your puppy will be fine unless large swellings on its face, nose, or throat interfere with breathing.
The Bottom Line
This article has unraveled the mystery: How to treat midge bites on dogs?
Please follow your vet’s prescription strictly and take other preventative measures, like using a safe repellent or staying clear of standing water to protect your pooch to the full.
Thanks for reading the post, and have a nice day!
