Canine Lice
YES, dogs get lice. It
is a different kind of lice than humans get, and much easier to treat, and, It
is not transferable to humans or cats. Dog lice are species specific, so you,
your kids, and your cats cannot get lice from your dog, and a person with a human form of lice, cannot pass it to their dog. Human lice crawls fast, dog lice is almost motionless. The human form of lice, likes clean hair. A dogs coat is not clean enough for human lice to live.
Picture of a Maltese which came in for grooming
Dog lice infestation is not a common thing with dogs in
this country, especially those that live in a clean environment and get proper
care and attention. Although rarely discovered on healthy animals, poorly
nourished dogs are more often to get lice.
There are two species of canine lice:
1. Biting (Mallophaga),: trichodectus canus &
Heterodoxus spiniger. (feed on skin flakes, and skin)
2. Sucking linognathus piliferus
setosus (feed on dogs blood,
and are more irritating)
Cats have one biting louse and that is Felicola
subrostratus.
Lice lay eggs (termed nits) on the hair shafts. The life
cycle takes about 21 days to complete.
Females lay up to 100 eggs or nits. The nits of the canine
biting louse are protected by an operculum and are cemented to the base of the
dog's hairs.
Of all parasites, lice are by far the easiest to treat
because they are not active in our environment, like fleas and ticks.
They are flat, gray, wingless parasites that are
about a twelfth of an inch long. Dog lice are very slow movers. In fact, they
hardly move at all. They do not jump from dog to dog like fleas, but dog lice
are still spread through dog-to-dog contact, so if your dog interacts with other
dogs on the trail, at the dog park, at your friend’s house or in doggie day
care, your dog may be exposed. If your dog shares a bed, or crate, they can be
infected. Grooming instruments may serve as a source
of transmission.
Picture of a Maltese which came in for grooming
If your dog has been scratching himself more than
normal, it could be due to lice. Lice are very small, but can usually be seen by
the human eye. They look like little black dots and have a clear lining around
them. They do not really look like bugs, but more like dirt. It is very easy to
see the lice if your dog is infested, but many pet owners miss them especially
in cases where dogs only have a few lice on them and they can be very hard to
find. They attach themselves to the skin, so you have to push the fur around to
look for them. Groomers are often the ones to discover the lice when using a
high-powered blow dryer, so it is good to schedule a time to have your dog
checked.
Have your dog professionally groomed regularly.
It’s always good to have another set of eyes check over your dog. If your
groomers find anything unusual, they will notify you. You can also talk to your
vet about preventive treatments such as Frontline or K9 Advantix. It is
recommended that you put your dog on one of these preventive regimens if you are
bringing your dog to a doggy-day care. There are some natural alternatives such
as supplementing with garlic , but the stronger treatments, such as the K9
Advantix and Frontline, are best.
Picture of a Maltese which came in for grooming
| If your dog has lice, you have a few options on
how to deal with the problem. Dog lice causes severe irritation and illness to
your dog. In addition, dog lice carries disease and complications such as
anemia. |
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1. You can bathe your dog in a pyrethrin-based
shampoo at seven-day intervals or
2. Contact your vet about using Frontline,
Advantiks, Advantage, or Revolution as a preventative measure, and if your dog
Has visible lice, it is recommended that you repeat 2 weeks later.
3. For pregnant Dams, and puppies over 6 weeks old,
revolution is one of the most recommended preventative, but always consult your
vet first.
Picture of a Maltese which came in for grooming
If you have a puppy that is infected with lice, consult
your vet first before starting on any kind of pesticide treatment or other type
of medication. Especially with Toy puppies, they do not tolerate flea baths.
To prevent further lice infestation and make sure that all
the lice eggs have been completely eliminated, it is a wise idea to Wash and
sanitize All bedding & dry on high heat, or throw away all bedding that your
dog has lain on during lice infestation and to disinfect the area where he
sleeps. Wash the clothes you were wearing, when you groomed, and found the lice.
Courtesy of MistyTrails Havanese
