How to deal with the dog’s lice infestation
Various types of parasites can infest a dog. Fleas, ticks and mites are not the only parasites dogs can have as they can also have lice! Lice infestation can happen even to clean and healthy dogs thus a dog owner that takes great pains to ensure the cleanliness and the health of the pet must not be surprised if the pet harbors lice on its body.
Lice infestation that occurs in humans can also happen to dogs. The lice that afflicts humans though is different from the lice that thrives on the dog’s body thus the infestation of the pet cannot be blamed on the lice the commonly infests the toddler as human lice cannot live on dogs and vice versa.
The lice that infest dogs are about 12th of an inch in size, wingless and can be gray, beige or tan in color. Unlike fleas that can jump and move very fast, lice are slow moving and even stationary parasites. The lice that infests the dog can be a biting kind or the kind that feeds on the dog’s blood. One kind of lice would bite the dog’s skin to feed on skin flakes while the other would attach the mouth parts into the skin to feed on the dog’s blood. Both kinds of lice infestation has to be resolved as the biting kind will be an annoyance because the itching will make the dog scratch incessantly while the blood sucking kind can cause anemia especially if the infestation is severe.
Lice cannot jump like fleas thus an infestation can occur if the dog had direct contact with an infested dog. Using the brushes and combs of a lice infested dog to another dog can also spread the infestation. Lice population can grow rapidly as a female lice can lay up to 100 eggs thus if prompt administration of eradication measures are not administered, the dog would be greatly affected by its freeloaders.
A dog that has lice on its body would scratch and scratch. Lice wold be seen attached to the skin on the dog’s neck and shoulders, on the anus and on the ears. The nits or the eggs of lice can be easily noticed but they are hard to remove as they are attached to hair follicles by a glue-like substance.
Lice infestation is easy to resolve with insecticides. An insecticide spray or shampoo used in bathing the dog would kill adult lice. The nits, just like the eggs of other parasites are resistant to insecticides thus the treatment has to be repeated to break the life cycle. Washing the beddings and the toys of the pet in hot water would kill lice that have managed to escape from the dog’s body.
Want to know more about dog grooming and dog lice? Visit Sarah’s Dogs.
How to eradicate the dog’s worm infestation
Dogs would always be man’s most devoted and loving companions. The love bestowed by humans best friends have made a significant difference to people’s way of life. The precautionary measures being done by a dog owner to ensure the health of the pet is therefore understandable. Dogs are not only provided with enough nutritious food, regularly groomed and provided with the required opportunities to exercise. Dog owners make sure that the pet is taken to the vet’s for the scheduled immunizations. Unfortunately, dogs, in spite of these measures still get sick.
Worm infestation is one of the most common concerns of pet owners. Parasite infestation is common in dogs because of their lifestyle. As any dog owner would know, dogs are scavengers. Dogs have this obnoxious behavior of eating feces and raiding trash cans to eat rotten food. Would it be any wonder if the pampered and regularly groomed pet would still be infested with worms?
Eradicating the worm infestation of the pet would be an easy matter, what is not would be determining if the dog is infested. A dog owner can see some types of worm being excreted by the pet. Some types of worms cannot be seen by the naked eye thus a dog owner has to discern the symptoms of worm infestation. A dog keeping worm inside its intestines will vomit, have diarrhea and would normally lose weight because of poor appetite. Lethargy, pot bellied and a scurffy coat are telltale signs of worm infestation. Treatment is imperative as severe infestation can result to the death of the dog. Moreover, some worms are zoonotic, meaning; they can be passed on to humans.
Blood test and fecal exam are necessary to administer the right worming medication that will wipe out the infestation. Over the counter worming medications are readily available. OTC medications would certainly have an effect but a cautious pet owner would always consult a vet.
Because dosage of animal medications are commonly based on body weight, errors with the dosage is possible so that instead of killing worms, the treatment would have dangerous effects on the pet. This haphazard treatment may not be too effective as the medication given is not for the type of worm. You can save on the vet’s PF if you administer OTC medications but what would be a few bucks if you can be sure that the life of the pet will be saved.
Still wonder what to do if your dog has worms? Find out more about this and first aid for dogs at Sarah’s Dogs.
