Page 340 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

CARE AND TRAINING | PARASITES

Parasites

Even the most well-groomed dog is susceptible to invasion by skin parasites,
and it is common, too, for worms to live inside your pet. Prevention of parasites,
rather than having to treat an infestation and its effects, is the ideal.

FLEAS system is weakened. Mild demodectic mange skin of the toes, ears, and around the eyes.
You need to take year-round preventive resolves without treatment. Severe cases These mites rub off easily and usually cause
action against fleas. Running a flea comb need specific treatment to kill the mites, no reaction, but they may be linked to a
through your dog’s coat, especially over the which is continued until several skin scrapings serious disorder called seasonal canine illness.
rump, may catch fleas, which you can kill are clear; antibiotics may also be needed if
by squashing them against the teeth of the there is an associated skin infection. LICE
comb with a finger. You are more likely to The spiderlike Sarcoptes mite is commonly A dog that has lice will scratch frequently.
find flea dirts, which show up as black passed on to dogs from foxes. It causes the The lice can be seen in the coat and on the
debris. Treatment includes spot-on products highly contagious sarcoptic mange with skin, with nits (eggs) attached to hairs. The
(applied at the back of the neck), tablets, and intense itchiness, hair loss, and skin sores. entire life cycle of a louse takes place on an
collars. Alternatively, you can spray, wash, Your vet will recommend the best treatments.
or powder your dog. Treat all other pets at The bright orange, nonparasitic harvest Itchy skin
the same time as your dog. Fleas pass most mite may be picked up by a dog running in Fleas are the most common cause of skin irritation in dogs.
If fine-combing fails to detect them, ask your vet to check
of their life cycle in carpets and furniture, fields in summer. It tends to be found on the your dog for other possible problems.
so you may need to use separate products
to eradicate them from the home.

TICKS
A seasonal problem, occurring mostly
in spring and fall, ticks can attach themselves
to your dog and may transmit diseases.
Some ticks carry the bacterium Borrelia
burgdorferi, acquired from mammals such as
rodents and deer, which causes Lyme disease
in humans and dogs.
Swift removal of a tick reduces the risk of
infections. Using tweezers or a tick hook, hold
the tick close to the dog’s skin but without
squeezing its body. Gently twist to remove it.
If the head is embedded try to remove it, too.
Mouthparts left behind can cause a reaction
and a lump may develop, but treatment is not
usually needed and the lump will vanish. If
you live in or are traveling to an area known
for ticks, take preventive measures such as
spot-on treatments and collars.

MITES
Demodex mites are probably passed from
mother to puppies at birth. They affect the
skin on the head and around the eyes, and
can appear elsewhere, causing fur thinning,
bald areas, and a musty smell. These mites
may be found in skin scrapings from healthy
dogs but they particularly occur at times
of stress or illness when a dog’s immune

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