Ectoparasites

For most of us, the thought of ectoparasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, makes our skin crawl!  And for good reason…they are creepy little buggers!  Some of them are not only a nuisance, but also a danger to the health and well-being of our pets.  Knowing what they look like, how our pets acquire them, and how to prevent/kill them is important.

Fleas, in their adult stage, are dark brown and about the size of a sesame seed.  They move very fast over an animal’s skin, so are sometimes difficult to see.  You may see “flea dirt”, which is the feces of the flea, before you actually see the fleas themselves.  They spend most of their adult lives on their “host”, biting and sucking the blood.  However, when the females lay their eggs, the eggs will typically fall off the animal and burrow themselves into bedding or carpets where they can lie dormant for weeks before emerging as adults, ready to infest (or re-infest) your pet.  An animal with a flea infestation will become very itchy and uncomfortable.  It is crucial to kill all fleas AND their eggs to eliminate the infestation.  Not eliminating the eggs will result in a re-infestation as soon as they hatch.  It may be necessary to treat your entire house with insecticides.  Consult your veterinarian about products safe for use around pets and children, as well as a flea preventative for your pet. 

Ticks are most commonly picked up from wooded areas, brush, shrubs, and wild undergrowth.  They can be found anywhere on the body and are usually seen or felt.  They are capable of spreading infectious diseases, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and others.  Ticks are found more on dogs than cats because cats tend to groom themselves more often.  Prompt examinations of your pet after outdoor excursions and immediate removal of ticks is very important because it lessens the chance of disease transmission.  Pets should be treated with an appropriate preventative during the “tick season” – whenever that may be in your geographical location. 

Ear mites, sarcoptic mange mites and demodectic mange mites are three types of mites considered ectoparasites.  Ear mites are most common in cats, but can certainly be found in the ears of dogs as well.  They are microscopic pests that cause intense irritation of the ear canal.  Signs of ear mites include excessive head shaking, scratching of the ears, and often times a brown/black discharge from the ear.  Secondary bacteria and yeast infections may occur.  Treatment involves very thorough ear cleaning and medication prescribed by a veterinarian.  Treatment of all the pets in a household may be necessary as the mites can be transferred between animals.     

Sarcoptic mange mites are also microscopic, but burrow through the top layer of a dog’s skin, causing intense itching and a condition called sarcoptic mange, or scabies.  Signs include hair loss, a skin rash, and crusting.  These mites are highly contagious to other dogs and may be passed through close contact, bedding, or grooming tools.  Medication is required to kill the mites, and additional treatment may be needed to soothe the skin and resolve secondary infections.  Cleaning of the dog’s environment will also be necessary.

Demodectic mange mites can be found in both dogs and cats, but the cat demodex mite is not the same as the dog demodex mite.  They are not highly contagious and cannot be spread to other animals or across species.  However, a mother dog may pass the mites to her puppies.  Demodectic mange in dogs usually appears as patches of scaly skin and redness around the eyes, mouth, legs, and trunk.  Itching is not a common symptom, but this mange may be a signal for an underlying medical condition, and your pet’s overall health should be evaluated.  Cats may develop hair loss, crusts, and scaly skin around the face, neck and eyelids, and may groom the areas excessively.  Treatment options will need to be discussed with your veterinarian, as they vary. 

The last ectoparasite we’ll discuss will probably generate your biggest shudder.  Lice.  Just the word makes you itch, right?  Well, fortunately, it is the least common of the ectoparasites in dogs and cats.  They can occur in any environment, but are most common on animals that live in crowded conditions and that are not observed frequently.  Lice can be seen with the naked eye and don’t move much or quickly.  Their eggs, or nits, attach to the shafts of hair and are also easy to see, resembling white flakes.  Lice are host-specific, meaning human lice only affect humans, dog lice only affect dogs, etc.  Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose a louse infestation just by looking at your pet, and there are several treatment options available, which your vet may employ. 

When dealing with an infestation of any of these ectoparasites, the most necessary step is the prompt removal of the parasite from your pet and its environment.  After that, it’s prevention, prevention, prevention!!