Content
- What are external parasites in dogs
- Fleas
- ticks
- bed bugs
- Lice
- demodectic mange
- sarcoptic mange
- ear mites
- Treatment of external parasites in the dog
- Care when adopting a dog
When taking on the responsibility of having a dog as a pet, one of the main cares that must be taken is the deworming or applying hygiene measures so that he does not suffer from this problem. As a general rule, the dog should be inspected frequently for flea bites or any other indication that it may be infested with a parasite. This practice must be carried out periodically, depending on the actions taken to avoid infestations, such as collars or baths with anti-parasitic products.
Dog parasites are divided into those that act inside the animal (lung worms, heart, round, hook or whip-shaped worms) and those that use the animal's skin to live (fleas, ticks, demodectic mange, sarcoptic mange. ..). Knowing the external parasites that can affect your puppy is very important to quickly detect their appearance. In milder cases, they cause discomfort and itchiness, but if the situation gets worse, your best friend's life and health can be severely affected.
In this article by PeritoAnimal, let's talk about the external parasites of the dog, small guests that live on the surface of the body, feeding directly from your pet. Don't forget that if the infected dog is a puppy, you should consult a veterinarian right away.
What are external parasites in dogs
Included in this classification are all external parasites that are as harmful to animals as they are repulsive and detested by people. They usually live between the coat and the skin., since the natural habitat of the parasites extends throughout the surface of the animal, where they adhere and feed on blood.
The consequences that dogs suffer from these insects can become dangerous, taunting serious illnesses and even the death. Hence the enormous importance of having constant surveillance, permanent care, preventive hygiene and periodic visits to a veterinarian.
Below, we indicate the most common external parasites that can attack your dog:
Fleas
you found a black pet on the dog? Fleas are small dark brown parasites that live between the fur of dogs and other animals. They're so small and fast that it's hard to spot them, but their droppings are easy to spot.
This wingless insect is very infectious, being able to transmit diseases to people. Its saliva produces allergies on the dog's skin, in addition to causing diseases such as leishmaniasis, heartworm, bartonellosis, dipilidiosis, allergic sting dermatitis, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, borreliosis or Lyme disease and babesiosis.
a dog flea can nest in any hot, humid area of ​​the house, jumping towards the dog as it passes. It infects you in less than a month, enough to lay eggs in your fur. A single female can put a thousand eggs in a single day. These allow the larvae to survive for more than 10 months, waiting for a dog to pass close to them to jump on it and start its life cycle.
To eliminate fleas, this life cycle must be interrupted, that is, kill them before they lay their eggs.
The dog's tutor may notice that the dog is infected when it develops allergic dermatitis, a reaction to the saliva released by the flea bite that causes intense itching, compulsive itching, hair loss and even thickening of the skin, causing great discomfort to the dog. If the dog is a puppy, he may suffer from anemia due to excessive blood loss.
ticks
The tick also feeds on the blood they suck from dogs. If not eliminated quickly, it can grow to considerable sizes. Its location is centered behind the ears, under the mouth, on the neck or on the legs. However, if the infection lingers for some time, it can spread throughout the body.
Ticks are parasites of large size, easy to see. They can be easily noticed by the touch when petting the dog. This insect carries diseases of a more or less serious nature that can be transmitted to people, such as fever, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis (as in the case of fleas) and the so-called Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It tends to attack and become more virulent in warmer months.
If you detect ticks on your dog, must never pull them, must use specific material to remove them and go to the veterinarian immediately.
bed bugs
Their natural color is brown, but they turn red when they feed on the animal's blood and swelling. Bedbugs travel with some ease to other host bodies of different animals. They are not very serious as they do not spread disease, although they are usually very irritating when they bite. These dog parasites reproduce easily and it is very difficult to eliminate a pest once it spreads throughout the house.
Lice
Head lice are very external parasites. hard to locate in dogs unless a thorough inspection is carried out. They are easily transferred to the human hair, being popular for causing intense itching. The appearance they have is of a flat body and grayish color. In addition to the usual discomfort of itching, they can cause skin dermatitis.
demodectic mange
Mites that are invisible to the naked eye cause skin diseases in dogs of different types, being quite serious if it is the mite. Demodex Kennels which causes the canine demodicosis. Although it usually occurs in young dogs, it can occur in adults if they have another disease that causes immunosuppression. It is easy to find in animals with poor hygiene, breeds with short hair or prone to seborrheic disorders. The contagion is directly from the mother to the dog in the first days of life.
Demodectic mange mites are long and microscopic. They are part of the dog's skin microfauna and are not highly contagious. The disease occurs when the concentration of these mites increases, although the causes of this are not known for sure. These parasites in dogs can present in two varieties: located and widespread.
THE localized demodectic mange it is a mild problem that usually resolves spontaneously in most cases. Its symptoms include localized hair loss, scaling and dark spots.
In turn, the generalized demodectic mange it is a serious condition that can lead to the dog's death. It initially presents with localized hair loss, but with time, collateral complications arise. The most common complication is bacterial skin infection or pyoderma, which includes itching, lymph node inflammation, suppuration, and foul odor.
sarcoptic mange
O Sarcoptes scabiei, another microscopic mite, it is capable of creating a highly contagious and itchy disease. Although they live in the skin, they can tunnel into deeper layers of skin to deposit their eggs. it's convenient detect it in the early stages of contagionotherwise, its cure may require a longer period of time.
Sarcoptic mange can be transmitted by direct contact with other already infected individuals or indirectly, by sharing bedding with infected dogs, for example, and these external parasites of the dog can also infect humans.
These mites cause skin irritation, hair loss and back. If the disease is not treated, it can cause other organic disorders and the dog can get to die.
ear mites
Ear mites are identical to sarcoptic mange mites but are slightly larger. They are infected by the dog's direct contact with other infected animals or with surfaces where these parasites are found. They usually settle in the ear canal and adjacent areas, and cause a intense irritation and itching in the dog.
To alleviate the discomfort, the dog constantly scratches itself and may even injure itself by rubbing its head against walls and other rough surfaces. The dog infected with these mites also shakes his head very often. It is also common to see a dark fluid coming out of the ear canal. When the infection is very severe, it is possible for the dog to walk in circles.
Treatment of external parasites in the dog
As with any medical treatment, treatment of the puppy's external parasites should be carried out and/or recommended by the vet.
don't forget the importance of preventing the appearance of all these problems with the use of antiparasitic medications, pipettes or collars, always following the deworming plan for dogs. Other suitable ways of prevention are the dog's bath and the hygiene of its ears.
Care when adopting a dog
Adopting animals like dogs is something that can bring a lot of joy to people. To ensure that the animal is in good health, a visit to the veterinarian it is always beneficial and essential. This professional will verify the necessary measures if the animal has parasites or other types of infestations.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.