Arachnoenthomosis (Fleas, Lice Eaters, Ticks) - how to treat in dogs

Hair tick in dogs

The hair tick is a parasite that most often affects dogs. A pet can pick up an insect while walking or while playing with other animals. This parasite causes a dangerous disease, which is accompanied by significant itching, thickening of the epidermis and hair loss. That is why it received such a name.
The hair-eater mite leads to gradual baldness, as well as weight loss. The insect is barely noticeable and difficult to detect. It reaches no more than 1-2 mm. Has no wings. During the day, the female lays up to 40 larvae on the host’s body. They are tightly attached near the roots of the hair. The larvae hatch after 7-10 days. Their life cycle is 1 month.

A pet most often becomes infected with this scourge in the fall. Despite the fact that the risk of developing the disease, which occurs as a result of infestation with the lice mite, is increased among dogs, other animals also suffer from this disease. The parasite's attachment points are the tail, paws and head.

The presence of a lice eater is manifested by vivid symptoms. Often the animal scratches vigorously at the itching area, where a characteristic wound forms.

Preventive actions

Even pets living at home are susceptible to helminthiasis or infection with external parasites.

Regular preventive measures will help protect your beloved pet from dangerous diseases caused by parasites, as well as protect family members and especially children who come into contact with the dog.

Necessary:

1. Feed your dog only thermally processed food.
2. Do not allow your pet to come into contact with street animals. Free range can only be allowed within a fenced area.
3. Carry out deworming three times a year, choosing drugs with the consent of the veterinarian, only after examining the animal.
4. Rid your pet of external parasites that are carriers of helminthiasis.
5. Periodically treat the place where the dog lives, as well as its objects: toys, clothes, combs.

Compliance with hygiene and nutrition standards, regular consultations with a specialist and timely deworming will help prevent helminthiasis and the development of secondary pathologies caused by it.

Characteristic signs of the lice mite

An animal that is affected by a lice beetle becomes very restless. The parasite injects special allergens into the skin, which cause severe itching and discomfort. The dog may refuse to eat or play. The owner can immediately notice the presence of a tick, as the pet’s fur becomes disheveled and loses its shine. If you look closely, you can see the parasite, which is easier to do on an animal with dark fur.

The presence of this insect is very dangerous. Over time, your pet may become bald, as the hair-eating mite multiplies at a tremendous speed. You also need to keep in mind that the disease is contagious, and the passage of the parasite from one pet to another is not difficult. This is important for those who have many animals in the house.

It is not possible to identify the lice eater at home. These insects are very similar to fleas. It is easy to confuse them and thereby adopt the wrong treatment tactics, which will only result in a worsening of the underlying pathological process. It is important to contact a veterinarian in time to make a diagnosis.

This parasite is very insidious, as it is practically invisible to the human eye. It feeds on the blood of the animal and can survive like this for a sufficient amount of time. The lice eater affects the pet’s fur and skin. The allergic reaction can be so severe that the pet will eventually be unable to sleep or eat properly. Depletion occurs in the shortest possible time. Infection is especially dangerous for small puppies, whose immune systems are still too weak.

Types of helminths

Only a veterinarian can determine the type of worms in a puppy or dog. A diagnostic examination will allow you to find out what parasites live in your pet’s body.

Nematodes or roundworms

Roundworms are often found in dogs that pick up food on the ground or drink water from a puddle. Roundworms, pinworms and other nematodes have a thread-like shape with a round cross-section. Most often they are fixed in the gastrointestinal tract, but they can also parasitize in other organs of the animal.

Trematodes or flukes

Flatworms appear in a dog’s body after eating raw fish and seafood or drinking dirty water. The worms are leaf-shaped and have suckers for attachment to the walls of the organ. They parasitize in the intestines, liver, and bile ducts. Infection with trematodes can cause the development of liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and jaundice.

Cestodes or tapeworms

Tapeworms appear in dogs after accidentally ingesting fleas or other skin bloodsuckers. It is ectoparasites that are carriers of cestode larvae. Helminths grow and multiply in the intestines, attaching to its walls with suction cups. As a result, the gastrointestinal tract becomes clogged with worms, causing intoxication and exhaustion.

Intestinal

White, yellow and gray worms in a dog can live in various organs. Sometimes they travel through the circulatory system. But most often, parasites colonize the dog’s intestinal tract. There they can easily obtain nutrients for their development and growth. Without treatment, they clump into balls, causing obstruction in the intestines.

Pulmonary

All lungworms in puppies and dogs have a common developmental feature. The larvae of these helminths pierce the intestinal walls, enter the bloodstream and migrate through it until they enter the capillaries of the bronchi or alveoli. Oxygen activates their development and growth. Reaching 3–4 mm in length, they exit into the oral cavity with a cough, and then are swallowed again and enter the intestines.

Heartfelt

Heartworm and Dirofilaria immitis roundworms are heart parasites. They enter the pet's body through an insect bite in the form of larvae. Then they migrate through the circulatory system, staying in the ventricles of the heart, eyes, peritoneal tissues, and under the skin. Without treatment, heartworms or subcutaneous worms can cause death in dogs. Small ornamental breeds are especially sensitive to their effects.

How to get rid of the parasite?

To combat these insects, modern drugs that can destroy mites are used. Popular insecticides generally act only on sexually mature individuals. The larvae remain in perfect order. This should be taken into account and the preparation should be used to treat wool at least 2-3 times. It is important to maintain a time interval of a week. During this time, the eggs mature and insects hatch from them, which can be affected by the product.

The most popular drugs: Gomelin, Oksamate and Tkringin. Also effective are sprays that are very convenient to use: Tsiodrin, Acrodex, etc. In addition to the main therapeutic agents, one should not forget about preventive measures, which sometimes play a decisive role.

It is important to monitor the cleanliness of your pet's bedding and regularly inspect your pet for foreign matter in the fur. It is recommended to wash floors with chlorine-containing products at least 2 times a week.

It is necessary to limit contact with the dog during treatment. We need to monitor her condition. If it does not improve, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.

Why are parasites dangerous for dogs?

Experts say that most pets suffer from helminthiasis, that is, they are carriers of parasites, and at the same time they look healthy. You can protect your dog's health by being careful and following the veterinarian's instructions.

Lack of treatment may cause:

1. Decreased immunity, cessation of development as a result of a deficiency of nutrients in the body.
2. Irritability and nervousness due to constant discomfort, pain and itching.
3. The development of serious and dangerous diseases against the background of infection and weakened immunity.
4. Severe intoxication and allergic reaction as a result of the release of toxic metabolic products by parasitic organisms.
5. Diseases of the brain, heart, liver, lungs and other organs.

Lack of treatment can lead to the development of epilepsy, intestinal obstruction, loss of vision and other serious complications, as well as cause the death of the dog.

What is a parasite?

The tick is able to feed not only on the blood of the animal, but also on the lymph and scales of the epidermis. Insects are active at certain times of the year. When the air temperature warms up to +10°C, favorable conditions arise for parasites. They begin to look for an owner from whom they can receive regular food. This activity continues until mid-June.

The second wave begins around the end of summer. If warm weather persists for a long time, the parasites will be active until October.

There are several types of lice eaters:

1. Ixodids are the largest representatives of this individual. They can be easily detected in wool. Lead to serious blood diseases in the pet. This type of insect is also dangerous for humans.
2. Scabies are the most dangerous representatives. They cause the most unpleasant symptoms. It is almost impossible to detect them without the use of optical instruments. However, the pet's skin becomes red and there is constant painful itching.
3. Subcutaneous - they climb under the epidermis and feed on blood there. It is impossible to detect such a parasite on your own. This variety does not reach 1 mm.

Lice eaters in dogs

Lice eaters in dogs are a very pressing problem that many owners of four-legged friends face. Considering the rapid pace of development and reproduction of parasites, it becomes doubly serious. After all, the presence of pests in an animal’s fur causes great discomfort, which can result in significant damage to the pet’s health. Having discovered wounds on the body of a pet that are a consequence of the presence of lice eaters, it becomes clear that it is necessary to take urgent measures to combat the pest.

Lice in dogs

In nature, there are about 100 species of various parasites that live in animal fur. Only dogs are infected with canine lice. This can happen during a walk or during contact with a fellow animal. A person can also infect a pet by bringing the pest into the house on their clothes or shoes. Lice can even be found in a puppy, which were transmitted from the mother.

Due to the fact that the routes of infection by lice eaters are quite diverse, only regular examination of your pet can prevent such a problem. If this moment is missed, the recovery process will be more protracted, since it is difficult to cure the disease with an excessive accumulation of insects

Ways of infecting dogs with worms

A dog experiences the world through its eyes, ears, and mouth. She often grabs unfamiliar objects on the street, drinks from puddles, sniffs/eats feces, foods (raw meat, fish, unwashed vegetables). Along with dirt and bacteria, worm eggs enter the body, become embedded in the intestines, and begin to grow and develop.

Parasites enter the body through the blood (hematogenous route), for example, through a mosquito or flea bite. The larvae enter the circulatory system and spread throughout the body.

Puppies can easily become infected in utero from their mother. Therefore, veterinarians recommend deworming for the first time a month, even if the puppy has not seen the street. You might be surprised at the size of worms that can come out of your baby.

What do parasites look like?

The presence of lice eaters on a dog’s body provokes a dangerous disease called trichodectosis. And before you start fighting parasites, you need to know what they look like.

The lice eater is a small insect that parasitizes the body of warm-blooded animals. Its flat, flattened body does not exceed 2 mm in length and most often has a grayish-transparent or pale yellow tint. Therefore, detecting a pest is not always easy. Externally, lice eaters are very similar to lice. Their distinguishing feature is their head. In wingless insects it is quadrangular in shape and much larger than the chest. Below you can see what lice eaters look like in dogs in the photo.

lice eaters

The pest feeds on particles of skin and fur, which is why it is also popularly called skin beetle, lice beetle or itch. It is also attracted to the dried blood that forms as a result of the animal's grueling scratching.

The reproduction of parasites is quite active: one female is capable of laying about 6-7 dozen eggs, which she firmly attaches to her hair with the help of an adhesive liquid. That is why it is not easy to wash off lice-eater eggs with water or comb them out. After 5-10 days, lice eater larvae emerge from them, which molt at least three times before becoming sexually mature individuals. This process takes them about a month.

Signs of infection

Symptoms of lice eaters in dogs are as follows:

• constant itching, which leads to the appearance of wounds;
• the presence of small white grains in the dog’s fur, reminiscent of dandruff (only upon careful examination can you notice their movement);
• the pet's fur loses its healthy appearance - it becomes dull, sticks together into clumps, it is even possible to remove the hair due to lice;
• The inner thighs, base of the tail and head of the dog are especially susceptible to baldness. Such areas become swollen and reddened, and may become crusty;
• lack of appetite and thirst leads to weight loss;
• Restless behavior of the dog, itching causes her insomnia.

Symptoms

Helminthiasis in dogs is sometimes asymptomatic or disguised as other diseases. But attentive owners can determine the presence of worms by the following signs:

1. Developmental delay. Puppies grow poorly and are inactive. They have matte fur and a bluish rim to the whites of their eyes.
2. Weight loss. With normal or increased appetite, the pet looks exhausted. His ribs stand out, but a hard, swollen belly can be felt.
3. Eating disorders. Balls of worms prevent food from moving through the intestines. Sometimes after eating, hiccups, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach rumbling appear.
4. Impurities in feces. Pus, mucus, blood, parasites, larvae, and eggs are visible in vomit and feces. When attached to the anus, worms cause itching and a desire to scratch the butt on the floor.
5. Breathing problems. A dog with lungworms or heartworms is breathing and coughing frequently. She is tormented by tachycardia and heart pain. The animal hides in a corner and refuses food.

Helminths absorb nutrients necessary for the dog's life. A deficiency of beneficial components is manifested by hair loss and changes in the color of the mucous membranes. The dog becomes lethargic, weak, and quickly gets tired on walks.

How to get rid of parasites

Many owners are puzzled by the question of how to get rid of lice in dogs. After all, trichodectosis is a very dangerous disease. To prevent the development of infection, it is necessary to immediately treat lice in dogs.

Only an effective remedy can properly remove lice eaters from a dog. The same medications are used to get rid of fleas in dogs. Today, manufacturers offer a lot of anti-parasitic products, which come in the form of sprays, drops, shampoos and even collars. All these drugs for lice eaters make it possible to carry out treatment at home on your own. They can be purchased at any veterinary clinic or specialized store in Moscow.

Entomoses are hair suckers in cats and dogs. Treatment and prevention

No one wants to see lice and fleas on their pet, as these parasites can bite not only pets, but also humans. They cause intense itching and scratching, and in severe cases, dogs and cats literally go into a frenzy, trying to get rid of the source of the itching that torments them. In addition, all these parasites “successfully” act as carriers of many infectious and parasitic diseases. In a word, entomoses of our cats and dogs (this is the collective name for cases of “flea infestation”, “lice infestation”, etc.) are serious pathologies; bloodsuckers must be destroyed immediately.

Afterword. Remedies for ectoparasites and subtleties of use

For the attention of readers - remedies for common ectoparasites (for dogs and cats): ectoparasitic drugs, types and rules of choice.

Drops on the withers (spot on)

Products in the form of drops for application to the animal’s withers (between the shoulder blades). The solution is usually enclosed in a plastic dropper with a tip, applied to dry skin, wetting the fur is avoided in the first 2-3 days after treatment.

The action is aimed at protecting animals for a period of about 3-6 weeks.

Among the drugs: Frontline, Hartz, Advantix, Fiprist Spot on, Bars, mr. Bruno, ProMeris, Dana, BlochNet, Delix Celandine, and others.

Sprays

A solution in a bottle with a spray bottle that provides fine atomization of drugs and high-quality distribution on the fur and skin of animals.

It is used as a means of prevention and protection, but does not exclude the establishment of ticks or fleas, while reducing the time they spend on the skin.

Thus, the attached ticks soon detach; without sharing the infected saliva, the fleas leave the host.

Treatment with a spray is considered labor-intensive compared to applying drops, which is objective for long-haired animals, but is often promising for animals weighing less than 2 kg (options are possible).

At the same time, a number of sprays are used at an early age, for kittens and puppies, at a time when other means (shampoo, collar, etc.) are not recommended.

Tools: Frontline, Bars, Hartz, Bolfo, mr. Bruno, Delix, etc.

Collars

The collar is impregnated with an insectoacaricidal agent or repellent that is active against fleas, ticks and other ectoparasites of cats and dogs.

During the time specified by the manufacturer, the collar, when rubbed against the animal’s fur, releases substances that provide protection against these parasites.

As a rule, the effect does not occur immediately - after 5 days of wearing the collar by the pet, and sometimes after 7-14 days.

It is important to read the instructions: there are restrictions depending on the active substance, which apply to weakened animals, pregnant and lactating women, as well as age restrictions.

Products include Beaphar, Mr.Bruno, CEVA, Delix, etc.

Choosing and using a collar is a whole science: everything is complicated.

• The size must strictly correspond to the size of the pet, and it cannot be “shortened” or trimmed: we reduce the amount of the active substance.
• The space between the collar and the animal’s neck should not exceed the width of 2 fingers: constant friction and contact with the fur is necessary in order for the insectoacaricidal drug to be released.
• Collars are not suitable for those dogs whose fur requires frequent grooming - poodles, Yorkshire terriers, Shih Tzu, etc.: after washing you have to wait again for the effect to begin.
• As a remedy for ectoparasites in smooth-haired or hairless cats (Sphynx, etc.), the effectiveness of the collar is questionable.
• It is necessary to combine it with other means of protection.

Shampoos

Preparations that combine detergent and insectoacaricidal protection provide relief from ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, and lice-eaters) in cats and dogs. The active substances destroy parasites already present directly on the animal’s body.

Among the products: Celandine, Fitoelita, Delix, BioVax, etc.

Using shampoo for prevention does not make sense: the product does not protect, but only kills insects that have landed.

Use against ticks may also not be effective.

It is necessary to combine it with other means of protection.

Tablets and chewable pads

Modern products for feeding dogs and cats that provide both antiparasitic protection and protection against ectoparasites. The drugs kill pests and block the spread of secondary infection.

Among the products: Simparica for fleas and ticks, Frontline NexgarD, Bravecto, Beaphar Vit-Bits and others.

Usually chewable pads and tablets have an attractive taste and aroma and are self-administered by pets.

Basic information

As a rule, ectoparasites do especially well in situations where animals are kept in close and crowded conditions. In addition (and unfortunately), lice and fleas often appear on animals that often participate in exhibitions. The reason for this is unsatisfactory veterinary control and the lack of disinsection of exhibition premises after receiving the next batch of animals. From pet to pet (most often) parasites are transmitted through direct contact, but for the same fleas, infection occurs when a cat/dog ends up in a room where there are parasite larvae.

The life cycle of bloodsuckers of different species can differ significantly from each other. So, unlike fleas, lice survive their entire life cycle on an animal . Adult female insects lay eggs, sticking them tightly to the hair shafts. In the literature they are often called “nits”. Since they have a “camouflage” color, only an owner with certain experience can see signs of infection at first glance. Nymphs emerge from the eggs, an intermediate stage. They look like adult lice, reduced in size several times. They molt several times and become adults. The entire development process from egg to adult takes 2-4 weeks. The life cycle of lice eaters is approximately the same.

Why do maggots appear on dogs?

Often, dogs in a very neglected state, kept in violation of all sanitary standards, become victims of maggots. The presence of festering wounds and untreated injuries only complicates the situation, just like the presence of a large number of skin parasites. If rodents live near the place where the dog is kept, this is another condition for the appearance of larvae, since these animals are known carriers of infections.

Maggots are usually called blowflies in the initial stage of their life cycle, but often the larvae of other insects parasitize animals: for example, in rural areas the gadfly is no less common. Old dogs and small puppies are more prone to these skin lesions, especially if they already have wounds on their skin. Wound surfaces (bedsores) also form in paralyzed pets, who, due to the impossibility of motor activity, defecate on themselves without changing their body position. In this case, the wounds are usually localized in the anus, although they may appear on the sides of the animal. If a fly lays eggs in such places, the appearance of larvae can no longer be avoided.

Did you know? Dogs can smell different scents 50 times better than people. And in their nose there are 300 million smell receptors, while humans have only 6 million.

Clinical picture of infection

What are the symptoms of infection? The main sign of the presence of ectoparasites is severe itching, when the animal constantly scratches itself and even bites itself. Of course, with minimal attention, you can also notice the “heroes of the occasion” themselves, quickly moving in the fur.

Lice nits are clearly visible even to the naked eye. You can also arm yourself with a fine-tooth comb and “walk” through the most suspicious places. If the animal has parasites, you will probably not be left without a “catch”. The consequences of constant bites are most clearly visible in young kittens and puppies.

Children suffering from constant bites and severe itching lose their appetite, become apathetic, and scratch constantly and violently. All this quickly leads to exhaustion. The skin at the site of the bites becomes inflamed and begins to peel off. If there are a lot of parasites, and your pet’s body is predisposed to the development of allergic reactions, the occurrence of flea dermatitis is possible.

Can dog and cat bloodsuckers pose a danger to humans? If your pet gets lice or fleas, don't panic! Parasites are very “picky” and species specific. They don’t like to “lod” on a person. The maximum you could face is occasional bites accompanied by mild itching.

Consequences of gadfly larvae entering the human or animal body

Such “neighborhood” with parasites does not lead to anything good. After entering the host’s body, the gadfly larva begins to intensively feed on blood, drawing out useful substances. It also causes a lot of pain. Although in the first days of infection the victim does not feel anything.

Only after a couple of days, the site of entry of the parasite swells, and the skin around it becomes very red. After some time, the skin becomes blue, swelling with suppuration in the center, itching and pain are often observed. General health also worsens - weakness, vomiting, dizziness, sometimes elevated body temperature, diarrhea and red eyes appear.

If you do not remove the parasites in a timely manner and do not receive the correct treatment, then everything can end with such an unpleasant disease as cutaneous myiasis, which is often complicated:

• allergies;
• damage to blood vessels and bleeding;
• numbness and cramps;
• inflammatory processes;
• osteomyelitis, etc.

Bodfly larvae cause enormous harm to the human body. The degree of impact depends on the location of the parasites. Moreover, the most dangerous are those that penetrate internal organs, mucous membranes and eyes.

Infection with gadfly larvae does not occur without consequences in animals. The most unpleasant of them:

• restless behavior;
• swelling, itching, painful conditions of the skin areas;
• weight loss;
• drop in milk yield;
• paralysis of the limbs (due to parasitism of a large number of larvae in the spinal canal);
• wool contamination due to excessive pus discharge.

For reference! Gadfly larvae secrete a harmful and highly toxic substance, hypodermotoxin.