Just the idea of lice can make a person itch. And if an itch develops, we have ways of voicing our displeasure and quickly remedying it. But what about our four-legged friends? What are they to do if tiny, unwanted guests take up residence in their fur?
If you consider it lucky, lice are species specific. This means if you have an interspecies household, and your dog has lice, he can’t share them with your feline friend, nor can he share them with you and vice versa. If left unchecked, lice can become an infestation on your dog’s or cat’s body; they are most often seen in situations where sanitary practices and conditions are lacking.
Dogs are affected by two kinds of lice, the chewing louse and sucking louse. The chewing louse chews on your dog’s skin, while the sucking louse sucks his blood. Cats are affected by one variety of lice which cause excessive itchiness and scratching; a dry, scruffy-looking coat; and hair loss most often seen around the ears, neck, shoulders, groin and rectal area. Dogs suffer from the same symptoms as cats, but in puppies and small dogs, anemia can also develop, generally in severe cases of infestation.
In both dogs and cats, lice can be passed among members of the same species through direct contact or contact with contaminated objects such as brushes and bedding.
For our canine companions, lice and their nits (eggs) are easily visible in the coat. Nits will be attached to the individual hairs and appear as small white dots, while adults are flat and have six legs. Treatment is available in the form of a wide variety of shampoos; treatments may be required multiple times to kill the developing nits as they hatch.
The lice and nits will have the same appearance in your cat’s fur, and treatment options also include shampoos as well as insecticidal sprays and powders.
To prevent reinfestation in both dogs and cats, it is highly recommended to dispose of or wash all bedding in addition to cleaning all the places they spend time inside the home. If an item can’t be laundered, it may be sealed in plastic bags for several weeks to kill any lice or nits. All grooming utensils should also be disinfected for both species.
Contact us if you suspect your canine companion or feline friend may be dealing with tiny, unwanted visitors. Together we can get your furry friend back to an itch-free self!
