Dog Skin Parasite Problems

" Dog skin parasite problems are usually caused by fleas, mites and ticks. Mites are the cause of mange, while ticks can cause diseases such as lyme disease and rocky mountain fever.  Tick related diseases are dependant on how quickly a tick was removed, and the type of tick, as not all ticks carry lyme disease.  Lice is from coming in contact with another animal that has lice. Diagnosis is based on the location of the dog skin problem on the body, skin symptoms and skin and ear wax texts.  In the case of fleas and ticks, treatment involves the use of a lime-sulfur dip followed by some type of preventative spot-on. Ear mites require prescription ear drops. Ticks borne diseases require immediate removal of the tick and the use of antibiotics."

Dog skin parasite (s) are a common problem for dogs. Fortunately, most parasites are easily treated.

Symptoms of Dog Skin Parasite

The primary symptom of dog skin parasite problems is usually some type of skin issue such as itch.  Your dog will scratch, lick, and/or bite at his skin. If you look closely at his skin, you will likely notice signs of irritation. Skin will usually appear red and inflamed. You may be able to see the actual parasite. Exact symptoms depend on the type of parasite:

• Fleas - are the most common skin parasite that affects dogs. You may be able to see fleas on your dog if you look closely. If you comb your dog with a fine-toothed comb, you will see black and white specks, which are flea eggs and feces. You may also see fleas.
• Lice - are another skin parasite that you may see by looking at or by combing your dog. They are small whitish insects. You may also see small white specks, which are their eggs.  The dogs coat will look matted and take on a greasy texture.
• Ticks and Lyme Disease Dog Treatment - are black or brown, and attach themselves to your dog. They begin to swell as they feed on your dog’s blood. You may feel them on your dog’s body or find them when brushing or combing your dog.  If ticks are removed in under 24 hours, there is little to no change that a disease was transferred to the dog.  Lyme disease is transmitted by Deer Ticks.  Larger dog ticks can transmit other diseases such as Rocky Mountain Fever.
  
  If you quickly remove a tick in under 24 hours, observe  your dog over a 3 week period for behavioral changes such as lameness, lethargy and changes in appetite.  If you see no behavioral change, then there is little likelihood that a diseases was transferred from the tick to the dog.  
  
  
  
  Picture Engorged Tick on Dog
• Ear mites - are yet another common skin parasite in dogs. Dogs with ear mites scratch their ears a lot. They may scratch all of the hair off the back of their ears. The inside of the ears will appear dirty.
•  Dog Mange - There are two types of mange, sarcoptic mange (also known as scabies) and demodectic mange. Both cause intense itching. Sarcoptic mange causes loss of hair and crusting skin. The ears, front legs, chest and abdomen are most often affected. Demodectic mange affects the front legs and the face. The skin is reddened and scaly.
  
  
  
  Picture Dog Mange
  
  
  Canine Mange
  
  
  Mange in dogs often resembles ringworm in appearance, having red patches with paler centers.  Ringworm is a fungus, not a parasite.

Picture of Dog with Ringworm


Dog Ringworm Picture

Diagnosis of Dog Skin Parasite

We don’t want to discourage you from going to the vet, but you can often determine if your dog has fleas, lice, or ticks just by looking at his skin and looking for the symptoms described above. If you discover that your pet has one of these dog skin parasite, you can often treat them yourself at home.

Vets can diagnose most dog skin parasites simply by looking at them. For conditions such as the mange, a skin scraping test is performed to determine the type of mange and the appropriate treatment.

Vets will diagnose ear mites by taking a swab from your dog’s ear and looking at it under a microscope. The vet can see the mites moving around under the scope.

Treatment of Dog Skin Parasite

Dog Flea Treatment

Again, we do not wish to discourage you from going to the vet, but if you see that your dog has fleas, you can treat these at home with products available at the pet store or from your vet’s office. There are special dips, shampoos, and powders for this purpose. We suggest starting with a lime-sulfur herbal dip to kill any fleas that are on the dog's body.  Dips have a residual effect which will keep fleas off of the dogs body.

Following the use of the dip, use a spot-on flea treatment such as Frontline Plus, which is applied to your pet’s back. Many brands protect against more than fleas, such as lice and ticks. If home treatment does not seem to do the trick, or if your dog’s skin is very inflamed or scaly or has scabs from scratching, see your vet. Your dogs skin may become infected from all the scratching.

It is also important to ensure that fleas are no longer in the home.  Be sure to thoroughly vacuum your dogs environment followed by the use of a disinfectant such as Benzarid. If you have carpets, use a product such as Flea Busters.

Dog Mange Treatment

To treat mange, special natural dips and shampoos such as Dermisil for Pet Mange are often recommended.  This product in particular mixes with your dogs shampoo, which avoids issues associated with unfamiliar products.  You can also use the herbal shampoo offered by the manufacturer of the dip.

Since mange is difficult to diagnose, treatments are applied and then if there is improvement, a more definitive diagnosis is made based on the response to the mange treatment. As an alternative to home treatment, an alternative dip can be prescribed by the veterinarian.

Dog Ear Mites

For ear mites, a special solution is prescribed to clean the ears. This solution may need to be used several times before the mites are all gone. Your vet will instruct you on how to use the solution.

Dog Lice Treatment

Dog lice can be simply treated with an over the counter medicated shampoo such as Virbac Ecto-Soothe. Look for products that contain ingredients such as permethrins, pyrethrins rotenone and diazinon.

References for Dog Skin Parasite Problems:

Papadogiannakis, E. I., DVM
Ectoparasitic Skin Diseases in the Dog: Diagnostic Approach and Treatment

Mueller, R. S. (Ed.)
Dermatology for the Small Animal Practitioner