External Parasites That Affect Dogs

These are common external parasites that affect dogs; fleas, ticks, lice, mites, and mosquitoes.

Fleas are a very common external parasite for dogs. They can make your dog's life miserable, and your family's as well. Keep in mind that if your dog has fleas then your home has fleas. You have to be very diligent with flea control. See your veterinarian for products to keep this parasite controlled.

Ticks can cause serious illness for your dog, like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors where ticks thrive, you should check your dog frequently for ticks. Ticks attach themselves to your dogs skin. It is very important to remove the tick when you find them. You will need a pair of tweezers to remove the tick. It is important to firmly grasp the body of the tick and pull it straight out from your dog's skin.

Lice and mites are tiny organisms that feed on your dog's skin. They can cause hair loss, intense itching, and infection. Keeping your dog's environment clean and your dog groomed go a long way in fighting this external parasite.

Mosquitoes and flies can be a real annoyance for your dog. Mosquitoes are attracted to heat and we all know that the average body temperature for our dogs is quite warm.