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There are many conditions that we think are unique to humans, but in fact they can also happen to our animals, such as lice. Although we are obviously not talking about the same type of parasites, since the species of lice that can affect us are not the tables that can infest our dog.
Although initially it may seem like a situation that does not involve any seriousness, in fact, if it is not treated, it can get complicated and end up causing several diseases, so it is important to go back to saying how important it is to spend time with our pet and observe him . In this article by PeritoAnimal we talk about Symptoms and Treatment of Dog Lice.
Lice on dogs
as has been said before, although dogs can get lice can't transmit them to humans, and the same happens inversely, since the species that affect each organism are different. Let's see below which lice can affect your dogs:
- Heterodoxus spiniger: Measures approximately 2.5 cm long, does not appear much in Europe. It is a louse that can transmit other parasites such as Dipylidum caninum or Dipetalonema reconditum.
- Linognathus setosus: Feeds on the dog's blood, measures approximately between 1.5 to 2.5 mm in length. It mainly affects the head, neck and chest area.
- Kennel Trichodectes: This louse measures 1.5 to 2 mm in length but it can also transmit Dipylidum caninum. It mainly infests the head, neck, ears and loin.
Of these 3 species, two of them can transmit helminths or intestinal parasites and the longer they remain in your puppy, the greater the probability that this transmission will happen.
Dog Lice Symptoms
The main symptom of lice in dogs is a severe irritation which manifests itself with a excessive scratching It is a big concern, and although this may initially make us suspect an allergy, it is important to check the dog's fur to detect these uncomfortable parasites.
The puppy can scratch itself so much that it ends up creating areas with no hair and wounds, which increases the risk of suffering a bacterial disease at a topical level, but through these wounds, it can spread throughout the body.
They can be observed relatively easily since they are very slow parasites and we can detect them by flat shape and gray color that has.
The treatment of head lice in dogs
The more conventional treatment of lice in puppies is also one of the most effective, as these parasites did not develop resistance to insecticides and these are precisely the substances that apply to treat this case. How to apply these insecticidal substances? There are several options:
- Anti-parasitic shampoo: The first thing to do is to take a bath with the repellent product that will help us to eliminate most of the parasites and poison them.
- flea comb: After bathing, comb the dog with an anti-flea comb, you can also use an anti-lice comb. it is important to kill all the parasites that you remove.
- Dry the dog with the help of towels or a blow dryer, as long as you are not startled by the noise and be very careful not to burn it.
- Collar, pipette or spray: As soon as the dog is practically dewormed, apply one of these elements to fight the lice that may still have remained in its fur and thus prevent further infection. They are usually long lasting.
It is essential that you purchase these products in a veterinary clinic and under the supervision of a professional, since it is possible that depending on each dog, one or more option is indicated.
It will be especially important. consult a veterinarian when the dog is a puppy, this is because then the dose of insecticide must be changed.
Dog Lice Prevention
Although there is no prevention that is 100% foolproof, the truth is that to avoid future infections it will be convenient to follow a deworming schedule. Also, keeping a proper hygiene from the puppy and feeding it properly, the immune system is strengthened and the risk of contracting these parasites is reduced.
It will also be very important to keep the dog's environment in optimal hygiene conditions, as well as all its accessories, from the feeder to the hairbrush.
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.