Vlasoyed in dogs: photo and description, clinic and diagnosis, ways to deal with trichodectosis in a pet
The most common parasites that attack dogs and harm their health are fleas and ticks. But there are other, no less dangerous pests. Representatives of the lice family cause trichodectosis in animals. Its symptoms are similar to those of tick and flea infestation, however, they have their own characteristics, so it is important to know how to recognize and treat lice in dogs.
Content
- Vlasoyed in dogs: photo
- Dog vlasoyed: appearance
- How do lice get on the body of a dog
- Infection process
- Diagnostics
- Drug use and dosage
- How to get rid of lice in dogs by other means
- Folk methods of getting rid of lice in dogs
- Processing of personal belongings of the pet and disinfection of the house
- Prevention of infection
- Are lice dangerous to humans?
- Unlike other ectoparasites
Vlasoyed in dogs: photo
Dog vlasoyed: appearance
Vlasoed is a microscopic insect up to 1 mm in size. The body is oval, grayish or yellow. On the body, the lice looks like a piece of dandruff, so it is often difficult to detect.
Outwardly, this parasite resembles a flea or louse, but has a distinctive feature: a large head, wider than the body.
How do lice get on the body of a dog
Most often, the pathogen is transmitted by contact. Infection occurs through games, fights, licking, sexual contact. An indirect route of transmission through toys, towels, beds, etc. is also possible. Sometimes parasites get on the dog's body during the grooming process, if the tools have undergone poor-quality processing. Often puppies become infected with lice from a sick mother.
Infection process
At the initial stage, it is rather difficult to detect parasites, since there are few of them, they do not show activity and do not cause anxiety to the animal. Symptoms develop only when the lice begin to multiply. Signs of infection with lice:
- the appearance of severe itching in the dog;
- the presence of white grains on the animal's coat, resembling dandruff. On close examination, you can see that these grains move slowly;
- the dog does not eat well;
- the dog's coat looks unaesthetic: it breaks, does not shine, gets tangled;
- partial alopecia may occur, most often in the thighs and at the base of the tail;
- as the dog develops, it loses vitality.
Diagnostics
Trichodectosis is detected on a clinical examination. In the bright sun, the withers are located on the tops of the hairs and bask. On the skin of the animal, characteristic defects, abscesses, traces of scratching are visible.
Drug use and dosage
Symptoms of trichodectosis are extremely unpleasant, but getting rid of these parasites is easy. The main thing is to start treatment as early as possible and prevent the development of a secondary infection.
How to get rid of lice in dogs by other means
There are other means of getting rid of lice. They can be used as a prophylaxis or in conjunction with other methods.
| Powder | It is more convenient to treat a dog in a non-residential premises, on the street with a powdered agent. Apply the drug should not be on the coat, but on the skin. After application, the product should be lightly rubbed. It is allowed to use powder no more than once a week. |
| Shampoos | Shampoo will not be able to cope with parasite eggs, so it is used as a primary treatment for the destruction of adults. The products have a gentle insecticidal effect, they rarely cause allergic reactions, and are suitable for treating puppies. When bathing, you should protect your dog's eyes from getting a toxic substance. To obtain a therapeutic effect, the shampoo is rubbed into the dog's coat and left for 5 minutes. After washing, the coat should be dried with a towel or hair dryer, and then comb out dead insects from it. |
| Anti-flea collars | Collars provide long-term protection against various types of parasites, but they have a significant disadvantage - they are toxic to kittens, animals with poor health, as well as pregnant and lactating cats. |
Folk methods of getting rid of lice in dogs
Processing of personal belongings of the pet and disinfection of the house
Parasites, leaving the animal's hair, remain in the home, penetrating into household items. Therefore, the fight against them will not be effective without a complete disinfection of the house.
- All horizontal surfaces should be treated with insecticides. It is also necessary to carefully process the pet's things: bedding, toys, clothes. They must be washed using antiparasitic agents, and then ironed with an iron or steamer.
- Vlas-eaters are heat-loving animals; they die in a day at sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, in winter you can take things out to the balcony and “freeze”, and in summer use the freezer.
Prevention of infection
Vlasoyed do not pose a danger to the life of a pet, but can bring many unpleasant consequences. To avoid them, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Eliminate contact of the dog with stray animals, use a leash for a walk.
- Keep the coat clean, wash, comb and inspect regularly for ectoparasites.
- Provide the dog with comfortable conditions of stay, exclude drafts and high humidity.
- In spring and summer, use collars to protect against parasites.
- Treat home carpets and upholstered furniture with insecticidal preparations at least once a month, carry out wet cleaning once every 2 days.
Are lice dangerous to humans?
Many breeders are interested in the question of whether the lice on the body of dogs and humans is dangerous. Litters feed on lymph, but parasites that live on dogs cannot exist on humans.
Vlas-eaters of dogs are not transmitted even to cats, and vice versa. The temperature of the human body is uncomfortable for dog parasites, so they are not at all dangerous for humans.
Unlike other ectoparasites
As mentioned above, outwardly the lice are very similar to fleas and lice, differing only in head size. Another difference is the way of eating. The mouth apparatus of the lice is not adapted for cracking the skin and sucking out the skin, so they live only on the surface of the epidermis, using lymph from combed wounds. Vlas-eaters differ from fleas in their amorphousness and poor jumping ability; they are not inclined to leave the host's body in search of a new victim.
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