External parasites, in addition to causing itching and discomfort to dogs, are capable of causing major diseases. These small arthropods present in nature reside on the skin or fur of your pet and act as vectors for multiple microorganisms that are harmful to it. That is why it is advisable to keep your dog dewormed often to protect his health throughout the year through the use of antiparasitic pipettes or collars.
Below, we explain which are the most common external parasites and the diseases they transmit and their symptoms.
This disease, also known as canine borreliosis, causes fever and neurological, cardiac and kidney damage to affected dogs. Ticks, which tend to adhere to the dog's skin and feed on its blood, are the causes of this disease. In addition, these parasites transmit other diseases, such as ehrlichiosis, capable of infecting the animal's blood cells and spreading to different organs.
A regular check of your dog's hair is essential to avoid contact with ticks. If you find any, you must extract it precisely and try not to let it stick to the skin to avoid infections.
It is not common to find lice in the hair of dogs, although, as in humans, these external parasites could lay their eggs and multiply on the hair surface. In severe infestations, they could cause your pet symptoms of anemia other than itching, such as lack of appetite, weakness, tachycardia or breathing difficulties, among others.
Heartworm disease is a high-risk condition, also called heartworm disease, and is associated with a multitude of symptoms, including breathing difficulties. Mosquitoes can spread this disease, so it is essential to keep you safe from bites.
Mites are the cause of serious problems and contagious diseases in dogs. There is a type of mite found in your ears, which causes irritating discharge, bad odor and bleeding. But without a doubt, the skin is the main focus of these microscopic parasites. They are responsible for scabies, which irritate the skin of dogs, with the consequent appearance of scabs and hair loss. Beyond the superficial damage, scabies also causes disorders in the animal's organs and could cause death if not treated properly.
