Have you ever seen red, angry-looking circles on your dog stomach? Your first thought may be to take them to the vet- and you are not wrong.
However, before you freak out, it happens that these bites may not be as threatening as they appear.
The Morinville Veterinary Clinic, which is based in Alberta, Canada, recently posted some good news on their Facebook page, which is of interest to pet owners.
It happens that the red spots on the belly of your dog might be nothing more than the bite of flies.
Troy Macdiarmid posted on Monday, May 25, 2020
The clinic posted: We are receiving increasingly more phone calls regarding red bites on your dog stomach.
They are a form of fly bite and dogs usually acquire them by lying in the grass. They are ugly, but do not tend to bother the dogs. They do not need treatment and heal fast by themselves. These flies tend to appear in spring and stay a couple of weeks and disappear. This we hope will allay any concern you might have had about your own dog!”
This time it was only a warning or heads-up- a reminder not to overreact and accumulate unnecessary vet bills or resources.
The post immediately went viral, and pet owners across Facebook were sharing their stories of discovering similar bites on their dogs. There were a lot of people who felt relieved because they did not have to run to the vet and get a hefty bill.
Thanks about the information. One user wrote, I was about to go out to the vet and drop a good 200 I really can not afford.
What then is it that causes these ugly-looking bite marks? The suspect appears to be the black flies, which are widespread in North America, particularly in the northern states.
Sherry Hurst-Weavers posted on Friday, May 24, 2019
Michael San Filippo, a spokesperson of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) explained that these are black fly bites, which are common in North America, especially in the northern latitudes.
The bites of these flies on dogs are not normally harmful, but we would advise pet owners not to dismiss or underestimate such bites because there might be other reasons that might lead to such markings that would pose more danger to our pets.
Although black fly bites are not dangerous in themselves, one should not disregard any skin or behavioral changes in your pet.
The clinic and specialists caution that other pests might also leave similar bite marks, or even allergic reactions. When you are worried or you see something unusual, it is always a good idea to talk to your vet.
Kenzie Estelle May Thacker posted on Thursday, May 28, 2020
San Filippo recommended that you should talk to your veterinarian in case you observe any unusual bites or injuries or behaviors. Some of the factors to consider include the age, medical history and health status of your pet, and the health risks to your pets in the area you live.
The main lesson? Although fly bites may appear scary, they are usually harmless and resolve themselves. However, as usual, listen to your gut and contact a professional when you are ever in doubt!