External Parasites of Dogs and Cats

1 Overview

1) Fleas

Route: direct contact or visiting flea-infested places.

Signs: itch, constant scratching/biting, allergic dermatitis, hair loss or scabs.

Prevention: bathe often (flea shampoo), regular external deworming, flea collar.

2) Lice

Route: direct contact or contaminated bedding.

Signs: itch and restlessness, frequent scratching, local hair loss, more dandruff, eczema, papules, blisters, purulent dermatitis.

Prevention: bathe often (lice shampoo), regular deworming, good hygiene.

3) Ticks

Route: direct contact or contaminated environments with developing ticks.

Signs: they attach where fur is thin (ears, belly), causing itch and dermatitis, scratching and rubbing, visible wounds or black scabs; severe cases anemia.

Prevention: city dogs rarely infected; keep clean, deworm, avoid stray dogs.

4) Mange mites

Route: direct contact or contaminated items.

Signs: red, papular, very itchy skin; the dog scratches until dark-red nodules and hair loss form; over time skin hardens with folds and cracks.

Prevention: clean environment, avoid skin-diseased dogs outdoors, bathe with special shampoo.

Note: this is the most common skin parasite – early find, early treat, early recover.