Ectoparasites or external parasites will fly, jump or crawl onto a pet.  The subsequent biting can cause irritation and discomfort and could lead to a major health problem if not treated.

Fleas & Flea Larvae

• Adult fleas feed on blood and will bite people as well as cats and dogs.
• Only 5% of flea population is on the animal – i.e. 95% in the environment.
• Eggs are laid on the animal but fall into the environment, for instance pets’ bedding or in the carpet, and develop into larvae.
• Pupae develop and the new adult fleas inside can remain dormant for many years.  They can sense movement, warmth and even the breath of a passing host, and hatch only when they have something to feed on!
• If you see fleas on your cat or dog you should treat the entire house and other areas your pet may go.
• §  Fleas can cause Flea Bite Dermatitis by irritating the skin of the animal and can also transmit infections.
• Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) is caused by an allergy to flea saliva.

Ticks

• Ixodes ricinus (sheep tick) is the most common tick in the UK and Ireland.
• Ticks lie in wait in vegetation and attach to dogs or cats as they brush past.
• Ticks have highly developed mouthparts, which allow them to pierce a hole through the skin to feed on blood.
• They can cause reactions at the site of attachment.
• Ticks may cause anaemia if there is a severe infestation in a young animal
• The most important risk associated with ticks is the diseases they can transmit, e.g. Lyme Disease in the UK and Ireland.
• Diseases such as Babesiosis and Ehrlichioisis can be transmitted to pets travelling abroad, therefore regular tick treatment for travelling pets is important.

Ear Mites

• Ear mites are 8-legged parasites which can infect cats and dogs and are highly contagious.
• They do not burrow into skin, but live on the surface of the skin in the outer ear canal.
• Cats may carry ear mites without showing signs, but will flare up.
• Young animals are most susceptible to infestation but all ages can be affected.
• Constant re-infestation can be a problem.

Mange Mites (Sarcoptes & Notoedres)

• Mange mites spend their whole life on the host and are extremely contagious.
• Infection with these mites is known as mange or in people it is called scabies.
• They can cause severe irritation, itching, scratching, redness, hair loss and skin disease.  Scaling and wrinkling of skin may be seen.
• They often affect areas such as the ear margin, abdomen, groin, elbows and hocks and the infection can spread from these areas over the whole body.

Biting Lice

• Lice spend their entire life cycle on the host.
• They are highly host specific, meaning that a dog louse will not infect a cat, and vice versa.
• Transmission of lice occurs via direct animal contact.
• Very young, old or debilitated animals are most at risk from this parasite.
• Heavy infestations can result in intense itching.
• Damage to the skin from scratching can result in inflammation, hair loss and bacterial infections

If you suspect there is something wrong with your pet and think it may be an Internal parasite, then please contact us immediately!