There are many canine parasites that can infect your dog. Some of them live on the skin. Others live inside the body and can damage various organs. This page will discuss some of the common canine parasites.
Ear Mites
Ear mites are canine parasites that can live anywhere on your dog’s body. They are extremely contagious and can easily spread to any other pets you have in your house. Dogs infected with these canine parasites usually shake their heads and scratch around their ears. If the infestation becomes too severe, the ear canals may begin to bleed. If it goes untreated, the ear canals and eardrum can become severely damaged and lead to permanent hearing loss.
Heartworms
Heartworms are also common canine parasites. They spend most of their life in the right side of the heart and in the large blood vessels that connect the heart with the lungs. Dogs with severe infestations of these canine parasites can be home to several hundred heartworms.
These worms can obstruct the blood vessels and chambers in the heart. The liver can also become damaged as the blood begins to back up. Dogs with these canine parasites will show symptoms such as decrease appetite, loss of weight, and coughing. On rare occasions, heartworms can cause the dog to die of sudden heart failure.
Hookworm
Hookworms are canine parasites that attach to the small intestine and suck the blood from your dog. They can cause severe anemia. If left untreated, this will lead to severe diarrhea, hemorrhaging, shock, and death. The females can lay up to 20,000 eggs each day, so it’s extremely important to have your dog treated if you spot symptoms of an infestation.
These canine parasites are normally treated with oral or injected medications that destroy the adults. These medications are unable to kill the larvae, so they will have to be taken again in two to four weeks to kill the larvae that have become adult hookworms. In some cases, your dog may even need to have a blood transfusion.
Lice
Lice are big enough to be seen with the naked eye. These canine parasites either suck blood or chew on the skin of your dog. They can only infect your dog if he comes into direct contact with another infected dog. The most common symptom of an infestation is a dry, scruffy coat of hair. These canine parasites can also cause hair loss and severe itching.
To get rid of lice, you will need to bath your dog in pyrethrin shampoo. After drying him off, you will need to apply a pyrethrin spray or powder. You will have to repeat this process in two weeks because all of them will not be killed after the first session.
Cuterebra
Cuterebra are canine parasites that look like a large bee. The larvae can infect your dog by entering through the nose or mouth whenever he grooms. The larva will become very large as it matures under the skin. Small openings will also appear on the skin so that they can breath.
To get rid of these canine parasites, the veterinarian will have to surgically remove it through an incision on the skin. If the larva is cut or crushed, your dog may develop a severe skin irritation or have an anaphylactic reaction. If these canine parasites are left untreated, they will eventually break through the skin and fall to the ground.