Fleas
Fleas are small (1/8 of an inch), laterally flattened,
brown bugs that jump and move rapidly, so they can't be seen or caught. But even
though you can't see a flea on your dog, you can tell one is there by the dried
blood excreted from the flea, and the black, cinder-like excreta that the flea deposits.
You can also tell if your dog is scratching and biting a certain spot.
They are mostly found in grassy lawns, wooden areas, or any
other place that inhabits lots of animals. And once the flea is on your dog and
your dog moves to the house, it will start laying eggs in the bedding,
floor cracks, and dirt/sandy spots of your house. Some people have tried
removing their dog from the house, thinking the fleas would go away. But there
would still be larvae, eggs, and fleas hidden about the house, and although they
prefer to suck animal blood, they will start going after human blood.
A Corgi's reaction to flea bites is usually very mild, but be
careful, because some Corgis are hypersensitive to flea saliva and can suffer
severe skin reactions, resulting in hot spots. But whichever reaction your dog
has to fleas, remember, the flea could be transmitting Tape
Worm, so check your dog to see if it has the initial symptoms (and go to the
vet).
To prevent your dog from getting fleas, you could give your
dog flea collars, flea powders, or more recommended, daily/monthly flea
medication. You could also use Vapona pesticide resin strips to hang around a
kennel, if there are many dogs.
To get rid of fleas, give your dog a nice long
wash-shampoo-scrub, then comb your dog out (this is especially easy for the
straight-haired Corgis) until you think you've got all the fleas. You
could dust your dog with gammexane powder or pulvex to get rid of fleas. If you
do so, make sure to apply around the head, neck, ears, and down the back of your
dog. But remember, your dog isn't rid of fleas until your house is. You should vacuum
your house thoroughly, and use flea bombs or sprays. You could also pour on diatomaceous earth
that would destroy the fleas' exoskeleton.