Fleas, lice, and mites are the most common external parasites found on the dog. Fleas do not transmit disease from dog to another dog or from your dog to you. But they are a pest that causes annoyance not just to the dog but to the entire household too. 

Its important to understand that de-fleaing just the dog is not sufficient to cure your flea situation. 

The flea lays it's eggs in bedding, the dog's favourite piece of furniture, carpeting, and in your car. Basically anywhere the dog goes. The flea lays hundreds, possibly thousands of eggs and these eggs hatch in about 8 - 10 days. It is therefore important to de-flea all these areas at the same time you de-flea the dog. 

There are excellent pet meds on the market that can halt the eggs from hatching and many of these products are very long lasting. There are products that need be applied only once monthly to the dog. 

 

Lice On Dogs

The lice that are found on dogs are not the same lice found on people. There is no threat from dog lice, as it is not interested in your blood, only your dog's blood. 

There are many varieties of lice. The specific dog lice are Linognathus setosus and L. piliferus. Linognathus refers to the structure of the mouth; setosus refers to bristles and piliferus to hair.

The three types of mites found on dogs are otodectes which is an ear mite, sarcoptic mange which causes severe itching, thickening skin and odour, and demodectic mange which lives in the hair follicles and causes the hair to fall out, the skin to redden and eventually forms postules. You should always consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

 

Ticks and Tick Removal

Ticks are most often found in wooded areas and beaches. These need to be removed from the dog by using tweezers or paper making sure to wear gloves as the ticks blood can contain organisms which can infect humans with dangerous disease.

 

Internal Parasites on Dogs

Internal parasites are actually worms. The common roundworm is found most often in puppies where they hatch in the intestines. If it is treated when the dog is young, rarely will a heavy infestation be found when the dog is older. 

These worms may be passed on occasion through the stool and look like thin spaghetti about 1-3 inches long, white, firm and sometimes coiled or curled. 

Hookworms are also common in puppies but a dog of any age can be infected. This worm in a heavy infestation can cause death and it will usually attack a weak, sickly animal. 

Things to look for are weakness, anaemia, and thin, mucous-like diarrhoea possibly with blood. Call your vet if you see these symptoms. 

Tapeworms are often found in the older dog. There are two species of this worm. One spends part of its cycle in the flea. When your dog eats a flea it becomes infected. The other spends part of its cycle in the rabbit or mouse. When the dog gets hold of and eats one of these animals it also becomes infected. This worm attaches itself to the lining in the intestines and some segments will break off and come out with the stool. It is usually easy to identify this worm and a stool sample can be taken to your vet for confirmation. Oral pet meds are very effective for this worm but may only last temporarily. Once a flea, rabbit, or mouse is ingested, the pet meds are again required.