External Parasites – continued

Ticks:

Ticks are commonly found in bushy areas, shrubs etc and any animal (or human) that enters these environments is at risk of becoming a tick’s host. Ticks attach themselves to animals that venture in those areas. There are many different species of ticks that affect dogs and cats.{{more}}

Ticks are most often found around your dog’s neck, in the ears, in the folds between the legs and the body, and between the toes, but they can be found anywhere on the body and are usually easily seen or felt. Cats may have ticks on their neck and face.

Tick bites can cause skin irritation and heavy infestations can cause anemia in pets. An adult tick can ingest up to 100 times her weight in blood. Ticks are capable of spreading serious infectious diseases such as Ehrlichiosis (tick fever), anaplasmosis, and others to pets and in some instances to the people on which they feed.

They can also cause a condition called tick paralysis, which can occur when a dog is severely infested by ticks, especially at the back of the neck. In these cases, the dog suffers from a flaccid paralysis.

Treatment and control.

There is a wide variety of tick control products on the market. Your veterinarian will advise you on the most efficient method to control tick infestation in your pets.

If your pet picks up ticks in your backyard, trimming bushes and removing bushes may reduce your pet’s exposure and risk of infestation. And, if you find ticks on your pet, don’t forget to check yourself for ticks, too.

Ear Mites.

Ear mites are common in young cats and dogs, and generally confine themselves to the ear canal. Mites are tiny and individual mites may be seen with aid of a microscope or otoscope.

Your pet can pick up ear mites by close contact with an infested pet or its bedding.

Ear mites generally cause intense irritation of the ear canal.

Signs of ear mite infestation include excessive head shaking and scratching of the ears. Your pet may scratch to the point that it creates bleeding sores around the ears or on the tip of the ears. Excessive scratching can also cause breakage of blood vessels in the ear flap, causing the formation of a pocket of blood (an aural hematoma) that may be require surgery. A blackish wax in the ears is typical of ear mite infestations, and secondary infections with bacteria or yeast can occur. Some dogs become deaf as a result of ear mite infestations.

For further information, contact: Dr. Collin Boyle
Unique Animal Care Co. Ltd.
Tele: 456 4981
Website: www.uniqueanimalcare.com