Common Pet Parasites

FROM: veterinarypartners.com

By VIN Community Contributors

Parasites, Pets, and Kids

Tiffany J. Rule, DVM


Know the facts: Don’t expose your children!
  • Hookworms and roundworms can be harbored by your dog or cat and transmitted to children who are living in homes with pets. In some cases these parasites can cause blindness in humans. It is thought that 30% to 50% of dogs and cats carry gastrointestinal (GI) parasites and that 1 to 3 million people in the U.S. have infections from the same parasites carried by pets. Children, the elderly and immunocompromised people are at high risk.
  • Dogs get infected with hookworms and roundworms by walking places where other dogs have defecated. The microscopic roundworm eggs and hookworm larvae end up on your dog’s feet. Your dog then licks his feet and infects him or herself with these GI parasites. Three weeks later, your dog is shedding hookworm eggs and larvae from his GI tract. If your dog licks his anus and then licks your child, or if your child pets your dog, he or she can become infected with these parasites.
  • Dogs can get ticks that spread Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and tularemia, which can affect people if the ticks detach from the dog and attach themselves to your child. This could be a risk factor for your children if the family dog or cat sleeps in their bed.
  • Cats get infected with hookworms and tapeworms by hunting prey. Even if your cat lives indoors, the ingestion of one house mouse can expose your cat to GI parasites. Cats with a flea infestation can spread cat scratch fever to children, elderly people, or immunocompromised (AIDS, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients) people.


How Can You Prevent the Risk of Spreading Parasites to Your Children?

  • Keep your dog on monthly heartworm preventative all year. This medication helps to prevent hookworms and roundworms in your dog. Keep your dog on topical flea and tick control all year.
  • Scoop the yard where your dog defecates at least weekly, ideally daily, as worm eggs and larvae are found in stool and can contaminate the environment.
  • Bring your pet’s stool sample to your veterinarian at least twice per year and ideally four times per year. You do not have to bring your pet into the veterinary hospital for this service. The stool should be fresh. Many veterinarians will provide a special cup that allows specimen collection without touching the stool.
  • Keep your cat on heartworm prevention once per month all year. This medication eliminates hookworms that could be potentially spread to humans in the household. It also kills fleas, which can be culprits in spreading cat scratch disease (cat scratch fever).
  • Teach your children to wash their hands before eating, especially if they have recently handled their pet.

Date Published: 3/10/2005 11:05:00 AM

Date Reviewed/Revised: 05/15/2007


Top 10 External Pet Parasites

(from entirelypets.com)

Fleas

What is it?
Fleas progress through several distinct life stages in which the pests transform from eggs into larvae, then into pupae, and then finally into reproducing, blood-sucking adults.
How does it spread?
Female fleas lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime both directly on their hosts and on their surrounding environment. Your pet can catch fleas from other pets that are infested or from the environment while out for a walk.
Symptoms
Excessive scratching, reddened skin, and hair loss are all possible indicators of a flea infestation.


Ticks

What is it?
These parasites also suck the blood of pets but bring the added risk of spreading disease. Ticks progress through three life stages: larval, nymphal, and adult.


How does it spread?
Ticks find their prey by detecting body odor and heat and directly grabbing hold of a host. To do this, the tick assumes a specific position that increases its chances of coming into contact with a host, likely atop tall blades of grass or bushes.


Symptoms
Itching and scratching are often caused by ticks- but instead of identifying symptoms of a tick infestation, it's wiser to simply check your cat or pet for ticks during seasons with warm weather. Any ticks on your pet should be easily viewable during a simple inspection of your pet's skin and coat.



Ear Mite

What is it?
One of several types of mites, these incessant parasites make their home in the ear canal of your cat or dog. These mites have a three-week life cycle and are too small to be easily spotted by the naked eye. They can cause ear infections and irritations in the ear.


How does it spread?
Ear mites pass from pet to pet and are most commonly found in cats. Ear mites can spread from cats to dogs and vice versa during casual contact between pets. These mites are highly contagious and have a life cycle that lasts between 3 and 4 weeks.


Symptoms
Intense itching in the infested area, excessive scratching, shaking of the head, small bumps in their outer ear and ear canal, abrasions and inflammation on the backs of their ears, and scaly, crusty skin on the neck, rear and tail are all symptoms caused by ear mites.



Demodex (Mange) Mites

What is it?
This genus of mite is one of the most common. Fortunately, these mites are known for their lack of symptoms- meaning that they aren't particularly imposing. These mites burrow deep into the dermis of pets.


How does it spread?
Demodex mites that infect cats are rare; however, Demodex canis is common in dogs. Each species infests the hair follicles and sebaceous glands before proceeding to internal systems. This means that transmission is generally limited to cats or dogs that enter prolonged contact with an infected pet.


Symptoms
Infected pets may suffer from Demodicosis, or red mange, which causes the inflammation of hair follicles, small pustules, and plaque-like crust around the edges of their eyes.




Cheyletiella Mites

What is it?
Another genus of mites, Cheyletiella, live on the skin and is found on both cats and dogs. Unlike other types of mites, Cheyletiella species are not specialized to a specific type of host. These mites are small and can be easily confused for dandruff.


How does it spread?
Cheyletiella mites can spread between animals of any species, so they are particularly contagious. Fortunately for pet owners, the mites can only spread when direct contact is made between the potential host and an infested pet or infected habitat.


Symptoms
Cheyletiella infestations, which are known as Cheyletiellosis, are characterized by flaky skin, redness, small bumps, scabs, and hair loss. In some instances, sneezing can be symptomatic of mites in the nose.




Sarcoptes Scabiei (Itch Mites)

What is it?
Sarcoptic mites are a genus of mites with several species that affect pets. Different species of sarcoptic mites are better adapted for different hosts. Species of itch mites are known to infest cats, dogs, humans, cows, and horses.


How does it spread?
Sarcoptic mites will only spread from dog to dog or from cat to cat; however, mites can travel fairly easily, making them highly contagious. Dogs can also catch sarcoptic scabiei, a species of sarcoptic mite, from wild coyotes or foxes.


Symptoms
Sarcoptic mites burrow beneath your pet's skin in a way that produces dry, crusty lesions. This might also result in the development of scabies or mange. These conditions are characterized, respectively, by rashes with small blisters and hair loss.



Lice

What is it?
Chewing lice have large mandibles and are less-adapted for blood-sucking. One species of chewing lice affects cats while another infects dogs. Another type of lice, which is more suited to blood-sucking also infests dogs.


How does it spread?
Lice generally only spreads from cat to cat or from dog to dog. Lice spread from one animal to another when they come into direct contact with a contaminated object or an infested pet.


Symptoms
Lice infestations can be identifies by the irritation and damage it causes to infested pets. Itching will elicit intense scratching from pets and can also cause restlessness and matted coats. Lice can also be viewed when pets are examined up close to confirm a diagnosis.



Mosquitoes

What is it?
These insects technically circumvent the label of parasite because they do not live on a host. These blood suckers leech off of other animals and can spread dangerous diseases when feeding.


How does it spread?
Because mosquitoes do not infest pets, their spread is inconsequential; however, they are capable of spreading diseases and parasites. Mosquitoes are known carriers of heartworm and are actually a necessary part of its life cycle.


Symptoms
If your pet is scratching excessively, it could be due to a mosquito bite. If a mosquito infects your pet with heartworm, you can expect persistent cough, lethargy, fatigue, reduced appetite, and weight loss in your pet. It can also cause respiratory distress and vomiting in cats.




Cuterebra Botflies (Maggots)

What is it?
Maggots are common in the Americas and are particularly prevalent in rodents. These parasites live in internal tissues, skin, and throughout their host's body. This versatility allows them to cause serious damage to their hosts, making them fairly dangerous to pets.


How does it spread?
The spread of botflies in cats and dogs occurs when pets pass through grass or bushes in which botflies have laid their eggs. When the eggs have hatched, the botflies remain on the grass, awaiting a host to brush against them. Once on their host, they travel along their exterior until they find an orifice to enter. Kittens and puppies can also catch them at birth if their mother is infected.


Symptoms
Botflies can cause coughing, vertigo, fever, paralysis, lesions, and lumps in your pet's skin. These lumps generally feature small pores to provide a route for fresh air to reach the maggots. Botfly infestation can also cause your pet to walk in circles or lie down for extended periods.



Dipteran (Sand Flies)

What is it?
Sand flies are flying blood-suckers that inhabit sandy terrain, particularly in tropical regions. These parasites can pose a serious threat of transmission of potentially dangerous pathogens in both cats and dogs.


How does it spread?
Sand flies are not technically parasites, since they do not live on a host. Like mosquitoes, these winged insects can land on and bite your pet, so it's important to be aware of their possible presence when visiting areas known to be home to sand flies.


Symptoms
Bites from sand flies can cause small bumps and mild itching and irritation. Bitten dogs are at risk for Deadly leishmaniosis and cats for deadly feline leukemia. The former is characterized by anemia, liver or kidney failure, weight loss, and skin alterations. Feline leukemia causes weight loss and apathy.


T



Our Locations

Office Hours

Main Office (By Appointment Only)

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

9 .00 to 10.00 appointment only

Sunday:

Closed

  • "When my dog Blackie was diagnosed with severe pancreatitis, Dr. Nelmapius prescribed a strict treatment plan but also course of laser therapy. Every time he gets the therapy I can immediately tell he just feels better and after each treatment I could see improvement and the outbreaks have become less frequent and less intense almost to the point of a complete cure."
    Melanie Acanda
  • ""I must mention Liz. Such a wonderful loving person and dear friend. Liz drove all the way to my house to bring me medicine that I needed for my very sick Shih Tzu, Bijou. She also was so caring to a little stray dog that found us one morning and was in need of special attention. That little dog was in terrible shape and she cleaned him up for us and comforted him"
    Fred and Joyce Pennington
  • "I really liked the attention, including the details, from Doctor N. I also liked the check-up phone calls from Christina and the other caring staff"
    Brittany Caddic
  • ""We found a little sickly stray. He has since become our special little dog since Dr. Nelmapius had to do several surgeries on him to fix major damage from abuse that he received before he found us. I have often said I wish I had a Doctor for my health issues that is as dedicated to each of his patients as Dr Nelmapius"
    Fred and Joyce Pennington
  • "I appreciated the time Doctor N. and his staff at Safari took with us. He personally took the extra time to make sure that I understand everything that is taking place."
    Bridget Catledge