The dangers of dog ticks and other external parasites, the symptoms you should look out for and what to do about them
Dog ticks, fleas, mites and other external parasites share one thing in common with you – they love your dog! These free-loaders like nothing more than to hitch a ride on your beloved canine and help themselves to a drink of his blood.
So what are you going to do about it? Stand aside and let them do it? Thought not!
I may be making light of the subject matter, but dog ticks and other parasites are no laughing matter. They can cause all sort of nasty rashes, infections and irritations and drive your dog crazy with itching and scratching.
Some, ticks in particular, are also carriers of more serious diseases which can affect not only your dog but you and your family, as well.
So I don’t have to tell you the importance of religiously checking your dog for dog ticks and other parasites. Make this a daily routine as part of your grooming session.
And if you find any evidence take swift action – get your dog to the vet, get the right treatment, get the problem dealt with.
Here’s a list of symptoms which indicate the presence of dog ticks and other external parasites.
| Blowfly maggots |
A particular problem for poorly groomed, long-haired dogs. Blowflys lay their eggs in dirty, matted fur – especially around the anus. The eggs hatch as maggotts and damage the skin. Immediately consult a vet, who will clean the area with hydrogen peroxide. |
| Cheyletiella mites |
These mites have the apprearance of dandruff and cause scaling of the skin, but only limited itching. Treatable with a vet prescribed shampoo. Bedding should also be steam cleaned or thrown out. |
| Demodex mange |
Inhabit the hair follicles and particularly target puppies or old dogs with weak immune systems. Can be cured with a vet-prescribed medicated shampoo. |
| Fleas | Fleas feed off the dog’s blood. Some dogs have an allergic reaction to flea saliva while others scratch due to irritation caused by the bite itself. Check your dog’s coat for adult fleas as well as for little specks of black “dirt”, which are actually flea droppings. Treat with a vet-prescribed or over-the-counter insecticide like Frontline. |
| Harvest mites |
Small red mites that affect the paws, causing excessive licking. Use a vet-prescribed insecticidal shampoo to kill them. |
| Hookworm larvae |
These microscopic mites burrow into a dog’s chest and feet causing intense itchiness. The dog then scratches the itch and damages the skin. Your vet can treat this with an insecticide. |
| Lice | Biting parasites that cause extreme itchiness. Use a vetrinary medicated shampoo and also comb lice eggs (nits) out of the fur. |
| Sarcoptes mange mites |
Microscopic mites that burrow into the skin, particularly at the ear tips. They cause intense itching, hair loss and sores. A vet can prescribe a medicated shampoo which kills the mites. Also steam clean or discard the dog’s bedding. |
| Ticks | Dogs that spend time in open fields and parkland are vulnerable to dog ticks. They attach themselves to the dog by their mouths and feed on blood. Remove dog ticks with a pair of tweezers being sure to remove the entire head. Swab the bite site with a surgical spirit. |
If your dog shows symptoms of dog ticks or any other external parasites deal with it immediately as it can quickly become a severe infestation.
