Parasites in dogs

In this blog, we provide an overview of the most common parasites found in dogs.

Parasites on your dog

Various parasites can be found on the outside of your dog. The most well-known are, of course, fleas and ticks. Lice and mites are also quite common. Mosquitoes and biting flies can be a nuisance too. However, they pose a greater risk as they feed on blood and can transmit other (internal) diseases. For this reason, mosquitoes are discussed indirectly under the parasites that can live inside your dog.

Here, we’ll briefly introduce each parasite.

Fleas on your dog

Fleas are irritating little critters that can cause discomfort for your dog. They feed on blood and often lead to itching. Dogs with a flea allergy can suffer severe symptoms even from a single flea. Prevention is much easier than treatment, as getting rid of fleas can be difficult and time-consuming. It may take three to six months to completely eliminate them from your home.

Read more about fleas in our blog Fleas in Dogs.

Ticks on your dog

Ticks are troublesome for both your dog and yourself. Not only do they feed on blood and cause skin irritation, but more importantly, they can transmit serious diseases. If you find a tick, it’s important to remove it as quickly as possible. You can also protect your dog with tick prevention products.

Read more about ticks in our blog Ticks in Dogs.

Lice in dogs

Fortunately, lice are not very common in dogs, but they can still occur. The most frequently seen type is the chewing louse, which feeds on skin flakes and your dog’s blood. This can cause itching and often leads to an unusual odour in the coat.

Read more about lice in our blog Lice in Dogs and Cats.

Mites in dogs

There are several types of mites that can affect dogs, including the coat mite (Cheyletiella), the mange mite (Sarcoptes scabiei), and demodectic mange (Demodex), as well as ear mites. Each type of mite causes different symptoms. Cheyletiella lives on the surface of the skin, often causing dandruff and hair loss. The Sarcoptes mite burrows into the outer skin layer to lay its eggs, resulting in intense itching. Both Cheyletiella and Sarcoptes mites are highly contagious.

Demodex mites are usually seen in puppies or dogs with a weakened immune system. Unlike the others, Demodex is a normal skin inhabitant in dogs. However, when the mite population grows too large, it can lead to skin problems. Demodex lives in the hair follicles and can cause deep, painful skin inflammation. This is often complicated by a secondary bacterial infection, which worsens the symptoms. Ear mites are also common in dogs, typically causing itchy, dirty ears with an excessive build-up of earwax.

Mites are not visible to the naked eye. Your vet can diagnose a mite infestation using skin scrapings. Treatment is often lengthy and intensive.

There are several products that provide effective protection against fleas, ticks, lice, and biting flies or mosquitoes. Examples include Advantix and Vectra 3D.

Treating mites often requires medication prescribed by a vet.

Parasites in your dog

In addition to parasites that live on your dog, there are many that can live inside the body. These include intestinal worms, as well as lungworm, Giardia, and the fox tapeworm. There are also diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, such as heartworm, Lyme disease, Leishmania, Ehrlichia, and Babesia. These latter conditions are blood-borne diseases that are more common abroad but can cause serious and often life-threatening symptoms.

We’ll briefly discuss the most common parasites.

Worms in dogs

There are many types of worms that can affect dogs, each causing different symptoms. Below is an overview with a link to the blog for more information:

• Tapeworm
• Roundworm
• Lungworm
• Heartworm
• Fox tapeworm
• Eye worm

Abroad, dogs are often exposed to different types of worms than those found in the Netherlands. Read more about the worms your dog can pick up while travelling in our blog Protect Your Dog and Cat Against Holiday Worms.

Giardia is another parasite that can cause troublesome symptoms in your dog. Treatment is often lengthy and intensive.

Tick-borne diseases

As mentioned, ticks can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease, Babesia, and Ehrlichia. These conditions are often difficult or even impossible to cure, so prevention is key. Fortunately, there are many effective products available to kill or even repel ticks on your dog. We also recommend checking your dog daily—ideally after every walk—and removing any ticks as soon as possible. Not sure how? Use our handy step-by-step guide.

Read more about tick-borne diseases in our article Travelling with Your Dog: Avoid Unwanted Souvenirs.

Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and biting flies

Mosquitoes and small flies, such as sandflies, can transmit serious diseases to your dog, including heartworm and Leishmania. These diseases are mainly found abroad, so it’s especially important to stay alert if you’re travelling on holiday.

Fortunately, heartworm can be effectively prevented with a worming treatment such as Milbactor. Products like Advantix and Vectra 3D also help protect against sandflies. In addition, tick collars such as Scalibor can be used to repel sandflies.

Still have questions? Feel free to contact us at [email protected].