Parasite Recognition

External parasites are insect-like organisms that live on or just under the surface of the skin for all or part of their life cycles. External parasites are a major cause of skin problems in dogs. They cause much itching and discomfort and may spread infections and other diseases. Most external parasites will attack many species of animals. Some parasites spend all or most of their time on their host, while others spend most of their life cycle off their host, only attaching themselves to the animal for short feeding periods. Understanding the cycles is important for effective treatment and control.

Fleas

Fleas are small, brown wingless insects with laterally compressed bodies. They have long powerful legs that enable them to jump and travel easily and rapidly. The adults are blood-suckers that spend only part of their lives on the host; the eggs and immature forms are found mostly on the premises frequented by the host. The life cycle of the flea can be as short as three weeks or as long as two years, depending on environmental temperatures and humidity. Fleas thrive in moist, warm areas; they cannot survive in climates of low humidity or in altitudes of more that about 6000 feet. In cold, freezing weather the adults die, but the eggs and immature forms survive to produce adult fleas when the weather moderates.

Fleas may produce a minor effect with their bite on the skin, bit they also produce a more severe generalised allergic reaction. They may cause so much scratching and self-mutilation that many other skin problems are worsened. Most of the lesions from fleas are noticed on the back or neck, especially on the back just in front of the tail. You can detect fleas by finding either the adult flea or deposits of the flea excrement (dark, gritty particles) in the dog's hair. Because they contain much blood, these particles turn reddish brown when moistened and smeared on white paper. It should be noted that the flea is the intermediate host for the tapeworm and so can cause internal difficulties for a dog as well.

There are many remedies available today for the effective control of fleas including; monthly drops or pills available at your veterinarian or pharmacy. Flea collars are used with varying degrees of success. If the home environment is contaminated with fleas and flea eggs, it is advisable to decontaminate with one of the many available products. Professional pest control may be advisable in severe cases.

For immediate relief of your pooch, flea shampoos are available in a variety scents and flavors at you local pet shop or groomer.

Ticks

Ticks are large, pea-sized, insectlike creatures, which are usually found attached to the skin of a dog. They may be present on any part of the body but are most abundant around the head and toes. Ticks have several stages in their life cycle. They usually feed on other hosts, such as small rodents or wild animals, during part of the cycle. Although there are both hard and soft ticks, the former are a greater problem for pet animals. The tick bite is rarely serious, and causes no pain, these parasites may transmit several serious infectious diseases, so their control is important. If there are only a few ticks present on a dog, soak them with rubbing alcohol. The tick soon becomes stupefied and either backs out of the skin or can be plucked off easily with a tweezer. In the latter case, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull steadily (it is desirable to remove the head). Then place the tick in a jar of alcohol for a few minutes and either burn it or flush it down the toilet. Many of the insecticidal shampoos will aid in the control of ticks as well.

Worms

Roundworms are a thick, white worm up to four inches in length, which can be detected when passed with the dog's stool. It may show as a worm or the eggs. Diagnosis and treatment should be left to a qualified veterinarian.

Tapeworms are long, segmented worms which can be recognised as white or brownish rice-sized segments around the anus and underside of a dog's tail. Tapeworms are usually acquired from fleas and diagnosis and treatment should be preformed by a professional.

The hookworm is named for their hook shaped head end, which has spines for attachment to the host's gut. The thin, shelled oval eggs are easily seen on flotation of fresh feces from infected dogs. Treatment and control is best left to a professional.

The whipworms are tiny, slender worms, which resemble a whip, being thicker at one end that the other. Look to your veterinarian for diagnosis and control.

By Joy Waters, JKL Grooming Academy