External Parasites
External parasites are nasty critters that will make your rottie miserable. But they're not just a nuisance, they're a health threat both to you and your rottie. For instance, fleas can carry diseases such as bubonic plague, and ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Fleas
Fleas are black, red, or brown, hard-shelled insects that feed on blood. They can make your rottweiler miserable. Worse yet, some dogs become allergic to the flea saliva and may suffer fleabite dermatitis. Fleas can carry bubonic plague and other diseases. They can also carry tapeworms that can infect your rottweiler.
Do not use flea collars, as they are not effective. Your rottweiler can chew and swallow collars like these, and they will poison him. Ultrasonic collars, garlic, brewer's yeast, and other herbal remedies are also not proven effective.
Common flea feeding areas are anywhere that there is tender skin. Ears, belly, groin, and pelvic areas are prime flea spots. Look for flea feces — they appear as dark grains that turn red when wet. You can comb through your rottie's coat with a flea comb to search for the pests. Fleas do not fly, but they can jump great distances. Most areas in the United States are flea-prone, with the exception of those that are at high altitudes, very cold, or very hot and dry.
Consult your veterinarian for a good system to combat or prevent flea infestation. Many manufacturers have created fleas systems that are intended to work together for use on your dog, in your house, and in your yard. Products are available from your veterinarian or by mail order. These can break the fleas' reproductive cycle and reduce the amount of insecticides needed. There are also many good systemic flea control systems you can administer topically.
Regardless of how you intend to fight fleas, always read the warning labels for any product you plan to use. All insecticides are poisons that can harm you or your rottweiler if used improperly. Always follow the product's instructions. Some medications may interact with the insecticides, so always consult your veterinarian if your dog is on a medication. Never mix insecticides together, and be careful using different insecticides that may interact. Do not use them on puppies or sick dogs without first consulting your veterinarian. If you have questions concerning the possible interaction or poisonings, consult the hot line number on the product, your veterinarian, or the poison control center.
The deer ticks that carry Lyme disease are very small — so small (about the size of a pinhead) that you might miss them. Their nymphs (larvae) can also carry the disease and are practically invisible to the naked eye.
Ticks
Ticks carry numerous, potentially fatal diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis. If you find a tick on your rottweiler, wear disposable latex gloves and do not handle the tick to avoid contamination. Use a good tick insecticide approved for use on dogs, and treat the tick and area around it. After a few minutes, you can try to remove the tick. Use tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull out slowly. If the tick's head or legs do not retract, do not pull the tick off. The tick bite can become severely infected if you leave the head or legs in the skin. Wait for the tick to drop off and dispose of it.
There are tick collars on the market that can be very effective; most are available through your veterinarian and some mail-order pet-supply houses. However, if your rottweiler becomes sleepy after you put the collar on, remove it immediately and take him to the veterinarian. Sleepiness is a sign of an allergic reaction.
