External Dog Parasites

Fleas are usually only an annoyance for most canines. However, if they are not taken care of, these blood sucking parasites can actually cause life threatening blood loss in puppies and in severely infested adult dogs. There are a number of shampoos, medicines, and topical creams and applications that can get rid of smaller to medium infestations. (The best thing to do of course is to consult your veterinarian about it). In some cases fleas have caused allergic reactions, have transmitted disease and even caused anemia.

Flies/Fly-attacks: Flies can actually and are a bigger problem than most

people know. This is especially true for dogs that are forced to live outside. Fly-attack is when numerous biting flies attack the edges of the dog's ears. This causes rawness, scabs, and if nothing is done about it, infection. This area must be cleaned very carefully with warm water and hydrogen peroxide. In more extreme cases veterinary care may be necessary. The way to prevent this is by applying fly repellant to the dog. Of course, the surest way to prevent this is by bringing the dog indoors.

Lice can infest dogs by the thousands. This will cause severe itching and discomfort. The dog will need veterinary intervention to get rid of them.

Mites is a parasite that causes an illness that is called mange. Demodectic or "red" mange causes small and hairless, irritated patches on the dog's coat. Sarcoptic mange or "scabies" produce extreme itching along with hair loss. Mites sometimes also enter the ears of the dog where they cause a big amount of discomfort and unavoidably produce bacterial infections. A veterinarian must treat mites as soon as possible.

If your dog has ticks remove them with tweezers. Try to avoid touching the fleas as they can transmit disease to humans. Ticks can be killed by immersing them in alcohol. It's a good idea to check your dog for ticks after you have taken a walk in the woods. Deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease, and this can lead to neurological and cardiac failure in the infected host.

Hunting Dogs Good Hunter? Gun Dog Breeds Hunting Setter English Setter Gordon Setter Laverack Setter Irish Setter Bracos Hunters Italian Bracos French Braco Saint Germain Braco Auvernia Braco German Shorthaired Pointer or Kurzhaar Hungarian Pointer Epagneul Breton Griffons as Hunters Italian Griffon Spinone Italiano Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Wirehaired Pointing Griffon or Korthals German Wirehaired German Wirehaired Pointer or Drahthaar Pointers as Hunting Dogs Perdiguero de Burgos or Spanish Pointer Perdiguero Navarro Old Spanish Pointer English Pointer Retrievers as Hunters Labrador Golden Retriever Golden Retriever History of the English Cocker Spaniel English Cocker Spaniel English Springer Spaniel Springer Spaniel Hounds as Hunters Porcelaine History of the Harrier Harrier Beagle Beagles Ibizan Hound Podenco Ibicenco Ibizan Hound Sicilian Greyhound Cirneco dell' Etna Sicilian Greyhound Training Hunting Dogs Why train hunting dog puppies New Puppy Puppy Hunting House training Puppy Potty Training Hunting Name Dog Training Come Command Puppy Stay Accidents & illnesses Rabies symptoms Canine distemper Canine Leptopirosis Internal parasites Types of Worms Hydatid cysts External parasites Ears-Eyes Care Emergencies Care Resuscitating a dog Types of Dog Skin Injury Hunting dog hemorrhages Correct Nutrition Nutrition Hand feeding Puppy Food Breed Reproduction Breeding Cycle Spaying Mating When to Breed Pregnancy of the female dog Birthing puppy dogs Dog Kennel