External Parasites

External parasites are “bugs” (insects) that live on

the outside of a dog’s body. They include fleas

ticks, lice, flies, mosquitoes, mites, and others

They not only cause irritation, but also may transmit

diseashttps://www.facebook.com/Dogs-and-treat-diseases-420902661428959/es and cause disease in humans. Careful

skin examination by a veterinarian can detect these

.parasites

Fleas

are readily seen in a dog’s haircoat. They
are pencil-lead size, brown, compressed side to
side and seem to be in constant motion. They are
seen most easily at the base of the tail, between
the ears, or in the short hair on the abdomen. Even
if the flea is not visible, black specks of excrement may be seen. Many treatments are available;
however, the dog’s environment must be treated
just as vigorously, since the flea actually spends
more time off the dog than on. Flea control should

be implemented at the earliest sign of flea infes
tation because fleas multiply rapidly and a small
problem becomes a major one in just a few days.
While most dogs scratch with fleas, some dogs are
also allergic to flea saliva. For them, one flea bite
can set off an allergic reaction of severe skin inflam
mation. A flea-allergic dog will require medication
to relieve the skin inflammation in addition to flea
.control

Ticks

are most prevalent in early spring and are
most commonly found on outdoor dogs that get into
underbrush and wooded areas. Ticks can transmit
several https://www.facebook.com/Dogs-and-treat-diseases-420902661428959/diseases (including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) and should be removed with care. Grasp
the tick near its head with a pair of tweezers and
pull away from the skin with a frm tug. Do not try to
kill the tick frst with fre or chemicals. Disinfect the
area with alcohol to prevent infection. Ticks should
be controlled by daily inspection and removal or, in
heavy infestations, by the regular use of chemical
.dips

Lice

are small, light-colored parasites that are
transmitted dog to dog. They can be seen at the
base of the hair. Signs of lice infestation (pediculosis) are a rough and dry haircoat, matted hair, and
scratching and biting of the skin. Lice are effectively
treated with a variety of chemicals available from a
.veterinarian

tic mange

is caused by the
sarcoptic mite, a microscopic
parasite similar to a chigger.
These mites are transmitted from
dog to dog and can also infect
human skin. They burrow into the
skin and cause severe itching
and consequent skin irritation
and inflammation. Hair loss
can be severe and generalized
over the body. Diagnosis by a
veterinarian is essential, and treatment is usually quite effective. All animals in contact with the
.infected dog should be treated at the same time

Demodectic mange

is caused by demodectic
mites that destroy the hair follicle in which they
reside. This causes small patches of hair loss that
can spread to the entire body. The initial skin lesions may become infected and are diffcult to treat

The tendency to develop demodectic mange is
thought to be hereditary. It is seen most frequently
in purebred dogs. Demodectic mange is not contagious. Diagnosis and treatment by a veterinarian
.are necessary; treatment is diffcult

Ear mites

tunnel in the skin of the outer ear canal. They are easily transmitted from dog to dog
or cat to dog. They can be seen in the ear with
magnifcation. Ear mites are suspected when dark
coffee-ground debris is present in the ears. Infestation signs are head shaking and scratching at the
ears. Left untreated, ear mites predispose the ear
to secondary bacterial infection. Treatment requires
cleaning of the ear by a veterinarian and use of
mite-killing insecticide. Be sure to treat any other
.cats or dogs in the household