Dog Lice

[janetbush2]

Anyone out there -- with any knowlegde of dog Lice?

[bernicesmama]

I had no ideas dogs could get lice!

welcome to the forum, someone is sure to know.

[bernicesmama]

The lice that are found on dogs are not the same lice found on humans. There is no threat from dog lice, as it is not interested in human blood. There are many varieties of lice; mostly all are specific to humans. The specific dog lice are Linognathus setosus and L. piliferus. Linognathus refers to the structure of the mouth; setosus refers to bristles and piliferus to hair.

I found this on this website. http://www.planet-pets.com/dogparasites.htm

[BratBoxers]

Hope this helps.


Fleas, lice, and mites are the most common external parasites found on the dog. Fleas do not transmit disease from dog to another dog or from dog to human. But they are a pest that causes annoyance not just to the dog but the human companion and cat too. Its important to understand that defleaing just the dog is not sufficient to cure your flea situation. The flea lays its eggs in bedding grass, the dog's favorite piece of furniture, carpeting, and in your car, Basically anywhere the dog goes. The flea lays hundreds, possibly thousands of eggs and these eggs hatch in about 8- 10 days. It is; therefore, important to deflea all these areas at the same time you deflea the dog. There are excellent products on the market that can halt the eggs from hatching and many of these products are very long lasting. There are new products that need be applied only once monthly to the dog. The liquid is applied in one place on the dog's back and kills the flea eggs. Excellent results are being reported. It is only available through your vet. The yard must be treated and there are biodegradable and non-toxic products that work well. Check with your veterinarian as well as your local pet shop. This process must be started in early spring in some parts of the U.S. and continued until fall.

The lice that are found on dogs are not the same lice found on humans. There is no threat from dog lice, as it is not interested in human blood. There are many varieties of lice; mostly all are specific to humans. The specific dog lice are Linognathus setosus and L. piliferus. Linognathus refers to the structure of the mouth; setosus refers to bristles and piliferus to hair.

The three types of mites found on dogs are otodectes which is an ear mite, sarcoptic mange which causes severe itching, thickening skin and odor, and follicular mange which lives in the hair follicles and causes the hair to fall out, the skin to redden and eventually forms postules. You should always consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Ticks are most often found in wooded areas and beaches. These need to be removed from the dog by using tweezers or paper making sure to wear gloves as the ticks blood can contain organisms which can infect humans with dangerous disease.

Internal parasites are worms. The common roundworm is found most often in puppies where they hatch in the intestines. If it is treated when the dog is young, rarely will a heavy infestation be found when the dog is older. These worms may be passed on occasion through the stool and look like thin spaghetti about 1-3 inches longs, whites, firm and sometimes coiled or curled. Hookworms are also common in puppies but a dog of any age can be infected. This worm in a heavy infestation can cause death and it will usually attack a weak, sickly animal. Things to look for are weakness, anemia, and thin, mucous-like diarrhea possibly with blood. Call your vet if you see these symptoms. Whipworms respond well to oral medicine. Symptoms may be on and off diarrhea, poor condition and the coat may seem dry and brittle. Heartworms were most common in the coastal plain regions of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico but they have spread to many other areas. The mature worms attack the right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries. In advanced cases congestive heart failure to the right side of the heart can occur. Chronic coughing, tiring easily and weight loss are all signs of infestation. Since mosquitoes carry this worm you can monitor your dog against these pests and in areas where the mosquito is present, daily oral medicine is a good prevention. Tapeworms are often found in the older dog. There are two species of this worm. One spends part of its cycle in the flea. When your dog eats a flea it becomes infected. The other spends part of its cycle in the rabbit or mouse. When the dog gets hold of and eats one of these animals it also becomes infected. This worm attaches itself to the lining in the intestines and some segments will break off and come out with the stool. It is usually easy to identify this worm and a stool sample can be taken to your vet for confirmation. Oral medicine is very effective for this worm but only lasts on a temporary basis. Once a flea, rabbit, or mouse is ingested medicine is again required.

[janetbush2]

Yes... but they are not interested in humans. Thanks for the welcome.

Janet

[janetbush2]

How do they get it? My dogs are pretty much confined and limited to my yard, so I am having a hard time...figuring out where it came from. Of course, the main thing is to treat it.

Thanks

Janet

[BratBoxers]

Here this one is a little better


Lice





Lice are insects that can be seen with the naked eye. They are flattened and possess no wings. They are very host-specific and do not tend to leave their preferred animal, in this case cats and kittens. Lice spend their entire life cycle on the pet. There are several kinds of lice. Blood-sucking lice belong to the group Anoplura. Those that do not suck blood, but rather chew skin, are grouped as Mallophaga.
Transmission of lice is by direct contact with an infested pet. Unlike fleas and ticks, lice do not persist or travel in the environment. Grooming instruments may, however, serve as a source of transmission.

Lice lay eggs (termed nits) on the hair shafts. The life cycle takes about 21 days to complete.

Cats have one biting louse and that is Felicola subrostratus. Different species affect dogs including Trichodectes canis, Heterodoxus spiniger, and Linognathus setosus. None of the lice of cats or dogs present a problem to humans.

What are the symptoms?

The most noted sign of a louse infestation is a scruffy, dry hair coat. Hair loss may occur and the animal may itch, at times severely. In very heavy infestations of blood-sucking lice (biting), one may detect anemia. A diagnosis can usually be accomplished with the naked eye. Nits tend to be more visible than the actual louse, but both can be seen.

What is the management?

Of all the parasites of cats and dogs, lice are the easiest to eliminate, and they pose no threat to you or your children. Treatment is very simple. We prefer to bathe a cat weekly with a shampoo recommended by a veterinarian. See your veterinarian for further instructions.

[janetbush2]

Thanks for all your help. I guess a good bath is in order. and a good cleaning of the house.

Thanks

Janet

[sheplovr]

Look here my fear friends and read about this.





Lice Infestation

Lice are insects that can be seen with the naked eye. They are flattened and possess no wings. They are very host-specific and do not tend to leave their preferred animal, in this case dogs and puppies. Lice spend their entire life cycle on the pet. There are several kinds of lice. Blood-sucking lice belong to the group Anoplura. Those that do not suck blood, but rather chew skin, are grouped as Mallophaga.

Transmission of lice is by direct contact with an infested pet. Unlike fleas and ticks, lice do not persist or travel in the environment. Grooming instruments may, however, serve as a source of transmission.

Lice lay eggs (termed nits) on the hair shafts. The life cycle takes about 21 days to complete.

Trichodectes canis is the biting louse of dogs. Another commonly found biting louse of the canine is Heterodoxus spiniger. The only sucking louse of the dog is Linognathus setosus. Cats have one biting louse and that is Felicola subrostratus. None of these lice present a problem to humans.


The most noted sign of a louse infestation is a scruffy, dry hair coat. Hair loss may occur and the animal may itch, at times severely. In very heavy infestations of blood-sucking lice (biting), one may detect anemia, especially in puppies. A diagnosis can usually be accomplished with the naked eye. Nits tend to be more visible than the actual louse, but both can be seen.


Treatment is very simple. Both biting and chewing lice are easily killed with flea and tick products. We prefer to bathe weekly with a pyrethrin shampoo. Once the pet is dry, powder heavily with a flea and tick powder. Repeat this process weekly for four weeks. It usually is not necessary to treat the environment, but flea and tick foggers may help, especially in severe cases. Keep all grooming utensils clean.

Of all the parasites of dogs and cats, lice are the easiest to eliminate, and they pose no threat to you or your children.

[Aria]

The thing with lice is that they are nasty and just thinking about it makes me want to itch =) But they are no threat to us, although humans can spread lice to their animals, so thats the only problem...