When you think of dog parasites, you might think of fleas. But did you know that there is a variety of other external parasites that you need to look out for? Parasites come in all shapes and sizes, and though some can be simply irritating, others can cause serious skin problems or even carry disease. Here’s an overview of four different types of dog parasites you should be aware of.
Ear Mites
“Ear mites affect the external part of the ear and sometimes appear like coffee grounds,” says Dr. Amber Andersen, a medical director at Redondo Veterinary Medical Center. According to Dr. Andersen, otodectes cynotis mites can cause a contagious infection that “can be passed on to other animals, but not to humans.”
Your dog may pick up ear mites by being in close contact with an infested dog or its bedding. Though you can’t see the mites without a microscope, you might notice a brownish waxy secretion or what looks like coffee grounds in your dog’s ear.
These parasites cause intense irritation of the ear canal. As such, if your dog is infected with ear mites, he might begin to scratch his ears and shake his head frequently. If you find that your dog is exhibiting this behavior, you should take him to the veterinarian, who can prescribe mite-killing medication and perform a topical cleansing of your dog’s ears.
Sarcoptic Mange Mites
“Mites can also spread diseases such as sarcoptic mange, also known as scabies,” says Dr. Kristen Hammett, a veterinarian at Animal Hospital of Waynesville. Sarcoptic mange mites are microscopic parasites that can insert themselves into the top layer of your dog’s skin.
This parasitic condition, which can be transmitted from pets to humans, typically causes an itchy red rash, says Dr. Hammett. In fact, she continues, “many people go to the dermatologist with this rash only to discover that their dog actually needs to go to the vet to be treated for scabies.”
The mites are light-colored and oval-shaped, but you can’t see them without a microscope. If your veterinarian finds that your dog is infected with this particular parasite, he can prescribe a medication that will ease the itching sensation and kill the sarcoptic mange mites.
Ticks
Ticks thrive during the warmer months, so you should be especially wary of these parasites during the spring and summer. When a tick is full of blood, it will look like a bean on your dog’s body. In an effort to prevent a tick infestation, you should check your dog for these parasites every time you come home from a walk or spend an extended time outside.
In order to complete a thorough tick check, you must look on your dog’s neck, in his ears, in between his toes and in the folds between his legs and his body. Ticks can range in size from very small (the size of a pencil dot!) to much larger, closer to the size of your thumbnail. They can be black or brown or tan, and adult ticks — which are the ones that would feed on your dog — have eight legs.
If you find a tick on your dog, it’s important to remove the parasite’s head and body at the same time. If you’re worried that you won’t be able to perform this task properly, seek out the help of your veterinarian, who has instruments available to make this removal process easier. “If the tick is not removed properly, it can result in a local infection and an inflammatory response,” warns Dr. David Linzey, a veterinarian at Animal Emergency & Pet Care Clinic of The High Country.
If and when you remove a tick yourself, you should flush or burn it, as these methods will allow you to ensure that it is dead. During the removal process, be sure to take proper precautions to protect yourself from the parasite, because “there is a variety of diseases that ticks can carry, most notably Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever,” explains Dr. Linzey. Though the risk of transmitting diseases from your dog to yourself is minimal when removing a tick, he says, you may be in harm’s way if an infected tick bites you during this process.
In an effort to prevent a tick infestation completely, you can talk with your veterinarian about trying a monthly parasite preventive. Be sure to discuss the most recent and effective prevention options during your dog’s annual wellness exams.
Find out more about removing ticks from dogs in Ticks on Dogs: How to Remove Them and How to Prevent Them.
Flies
Flies are a bothersome external parasite that can cause irritation and transfer diseases to your dog. Some flies bite and then feed on their host’s blood or tissues. In this scenario, your dog might lick, chew, bite, rub or scratch at his skin to relieve his discomfort. Unfortunately, these actions often create a secondary bacterial infection in the affected area.
Other flies lay their eggs on the surface of a dog’s skin and fur. This process may lead to larvae or maggots that can penetrate a dog’s skin. Myiasis, or an infestation with the larvae of flies, is common during the warm-weather months, especially in hot, moist climates. Adult flies are gray or black, with wings. Maggots are white, wriggly, and only a few millimeters long.
You can strive to prevent a fly infestation by keeping your dog’s living area as clean as possible. Keeping your dog well groomed will also help in prevention, as this will allow you to easily inspect your dog’s skin and coat. Topical preparations designed to control fleas and ticks may serve to be effective in repelling flies as well, but you should reach out to your veterinarian to discuss these methods before you put them into place.
Stephanie Glover is the writer and photographer behind A Grande Life. When she doesn’t have her camera in her hands, you’ll find her with a cup of coffee.
* This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be providing medical advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The reader should always consult a health care provider concerning any medical condition or treatment plan. Neither Care.com nor the author assumes any responsibility or liability with respect to use of any information contained herein.
