Among the hitchhiking passengers that can accompany our pets, we distinguish ectoparasites and endoparasites. Ectoparasites are a type of parasite, most often found on a dog's fur. Endoparasites are those “inside,” most commonly associated with the digestive system, although they can also attack the respiratory system, live in the blood and heart, and even in the urinary system or under the skin. In today's article, I will briefly describe what we can find in a dog's fur.
The most common ectoparasites found in dogs:
-
Fleas - probably the most common type of ectoparasite we can encounter in a dog's fur. Infestation is common in both young and older dogs. The presence of fleas usually manifests as intense itching, especially in the dorsal-lumbar area. Skin lesions may often appear as a result of self-inflicted injuries. Some dogs may be allergic to flea saliva, which is known as APZS - allergic flea dermatitis. In this disease, excessive hair loss, skin inflammation, and even abscess formation can occur. In such cases, regular parasite prevention is important. It is worth mentioning that if fleas are found in a dog's fur, we can also suspect infestation with the dog tapeworm, as fleas are its carriers. When fleas appear on a pet, it is important to disinfect the pet's bedding and places it frequents - a flea spends only one hour on the dog during its daily life cycle. The rest of the time it lives in the environment.
-
Ticks - spring will soon arrive, and with the first rays of sunshine, we will start taking dogs for longer walks. Not everyone knows that even on urban lawns, ticks will be waiting for dogs. The optimal temperature for tick feeding starts at 6 degrees Celsius. These ectoparasites feed on the blood of the animal they choose as their host. It is worth mentioning that not only dogs are at risk of their attack. Ticks are also dangerous for humans and other mammals. However, they more often choose dogs as their hosts due to their higher body temperature compared to humans. Tick prevention is very important because they carry many diseases. The most common is babesiosis, which is fatal if untreated. Other diseases transmitted by ticks include anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease.
-
Ear and skin mites - these are two types of mites we can find in our pets. These parasites are most often observed in neglected or homeless dogs, although I have encountered a case of mange in a pet dog. In that case, the owners were concerned because after the dog started scratching, the same symptoms appeared in the owners. The ear mite is a parasite living in the animal's ear canals and does not pose a threat to humans. Symptoms that may concern us include intense itching of the pet's ears. Scratching can lead to self-inflicted injuries. Additionally, the presence of ear mites causes a large accumulation of dark, waxy discharge in the ears, which causes additional discomfort for the pet. In the case of skin mites, the situation is a bit more complicated, as this parasite can also be transmitted to humans. The symptom is also intense itching, but in this case, of the entire body. Prolonged infestation can lead to gradual thinning of the fur, even to the formation of bald patches. Diagnosis is made based on a skin scraping examination.
-
Demodex canis - this parasite normally lives in the dog's skin epithelium. It is an opportunistic organism, meaning it causes disease when the pet's immunity decreases. Symptoms most often appear in young and older animals, as well as during various diseases that significantly burden the body. It can cause different symptoms depending on the age group affected. A characteristic symptom is the so-called “demodectic glasses,” which are symmetrical hair loss around the dog's eyes. This type of parasite is not dangerous to humans; each of us has our own “private” demodex.
-
Dog lice - most commonly found in more neglected animals. Infestation with this parasite causes great discomfort for the animal, characterized by intense itching and skin scaling. In the dog's fur, tiny yellowish insects can be seen.
-
Cheyletiella - another name for this parasite is “walking dandruff” due to the symptoms accompanying its infestation. A characteristic feature of cheyletiella infestation is the presence of numerous flakes on the pet's skin, resembling dandruff. When the flakes are transferred to a flat surface, their movement can be observed. The infestation is usually accompanied by intense itching, which worsens over time. Cheyletiellosis is a potential zoonosis, meaning that humans can also become infected with this parasite from our pets.
Regular prevention
As you can see, many potential threats in the form of “hitchhikers” lurk on our pets' fur. Fortunately, there is a golden rule: regular parasite prevention will ensure our animals freedom from these unpleasant companions. Currently, many different products are available on the market for both prevention and treatment. The most well-known are collars, drops, or tablets. Your dog's veterinarian certainly has a wide range of these products and will help choose the best one. In this case, prevention is better than cure!
Tags:
