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External parasites live on the outside of a dog鈥檚 body. According to the (AVMA), at some point in their lives, many pets experience discomfort caused by external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, or mites, on their skin or in their ears. These parasites can cause serious skin problems or carry disease. make treatment, control, and much easier than in the past.

Fleas

are tiny wingless insects that feed on mammals, including dogs. They thrive in warm, moist weather and may be seasonal or active all year, depending on the region of the country. Fleabites make some dogs so miserable that they bite and scratch themselves raw. Fleas may cause young dogs to become anemic. Also, dogs can become infected with tapeworm by swallowing fleas carrying tapeworm eggs.

You may be able to see the dark fleas scurrying around on your dog鈥檚 skin. Their favorite spots include the base of the ears and the rump. Look closely in sparsely haired places, like the groin. Another way to diagnose fleas is to part the fur and look for black specks the size of poppy seeds. These specks are flea feces, composed of digested blood. If you鈥檙e not sure whether you鈥檙e looking at 鈥渇lea dirt鈥� or just plain dirt, place some on a damp piece of white tissue. After a minute or so, a small red spot or halo will become apparent if it鈥檚 flea feces, since the blood rehydrates and diffuses into the tissue.

If you see evidence of fleas on your dog, it鈥檚 essential to get rid of them as quickly as possible, before the population grows. Hungry fleas sometimes bite humans, too, leaving small, red, itchy bumps most commonly on wrists and ankles. Your best bet is to protect your dog from becoming infested with fleas in the first place by using your veterinarian recommends.

Ticks

can cause a number of serious illnesses, and , including Lyme disease, , and . There are more than 800 species of ticks worldwide, and they all feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Ticks go through four life stages, which can take up to three years to complete. Once the eggs hatch, they must eat blood to survive.

The reports that annually, thousands of dogs and humans are infected with tick-borne diseases, and that rate is climbing due to the increasing range of the various tick species, encroachment of wildlife species into the traditional urban environments, and an increase in pet travel. The wide variation in the disease onset, the variable clinical signs exhibited, and the response to therapy can make a definitive diagnosis of the specific tick-borne disease difficult. They suggest that a tick-borne disease screening panel can be very helpful in identifying the type of tick-borne infection. Disease is not spread between dogs and humans; a direct bite from a tick is the only way to become infected.

Check your dog for ticks daily after he spends time outside, and whenever you see a tick, take it off immediately. The best way is to numb the tick with rubbing alcohol or petroleum jelly and pull it off with fine-point tweezers. Once removed, kill the tick by putting it in a container of alcohol. Prevent an infestation by recommended by your veterinarian.

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Lice and Mites

and are microscopic organisms that feed on your dog鈥檚 skin and cause itching, hair loss, and infection. Generally speaking, lice and mites are two different species, but they function and behave in a very similar way.

Lice live in a dog鈥檚 hair and can be killed with an insecticide used for ticks or fleas. Note that dog lice and human lice are different species 鈥� dog lice need dog blood and human lice need human blood. While humans may occasionally be bitten by dog lice, they will not get an infestation.

Various kinds of mites inhabit different areas of the dog, and the problems they cause are generally known as .

Demodectic mange causes hair loss around the forehead, eyes, muzzle, and forepaws. These microscopic mites aren鈥檛 highly contagious, although mother dogs can pass them to puppies. They appear as redness and scaly skin around the mouth and eyes and are unlikely to be itchy. Some cases clear up on their own, while others require special shampoos or oral medications. When an adult dog develops demodectic mange, the dog usually has another medical condition that is .

Otodectes or ear mites are fairly common in young dogs. Your dog may have mites if he shakes his head and scratches his ears. You may also see a thick brown discharge. Excessive scratching can result in sores or broken blood vessels. and can travel from the ears of an infected dog to other dogs close by. Your vet will treat your dog with medication, usually in the form of ear drops, and ear cleaning.

or sarcoptic mange is highly contagious and affects humans as well as dogs. It鈥檚 caused when microscopic mites burrow into the dog鈥檚 skin and cause intense itching. Scabies usually affects the ears, elbows, legs, and face. Hair loss, skin rash, and scabs are common. Veterinarians will prescribe medications to kill the mites, relieve itching, and heal the skin. Careful cleaning of the dog鈥檚 bedding and environment is also critical.

Cheyletiella mites cause what is called on a dog鈥檚 head, back, and neck. This mite also causes itchy red spots on humans. It鈥檚 uncommon, but highly contagious and treated by clipping long hair, using topical insecticides, and repeated medicated baths.

How to Prevent and Treat Dog Parasites

When it comes to preventing and treating the external parasites that can plague your dog, the AVMA recommends that dog owners:

• such as a topical medicine, a flea & tick collar, or another method.
• Look for fleas, ticks, and coat abnormalities any time you groom your dog or when you return home from areas that are likely to have higher numbers of these parasites.
• Consult your veterinarian if your pet excessively scratches, chews, or licks the coat, persistently shakes the head, or scratches the ears.
• See your veterinarian as soon as possible to find out the best treatment for your dog. Prompt treatment of parasites lessens your pet鈥檚 discomfort, decreases chances of disease transmission, and may reduce the degree of home infestation.