What Are Lice and Why Are They a Problem For Dogs
Lice are a species of parasites that live on the hair of animals and feed on their blood. Female lice can lay six eggs per day. These eggs take about a week to hatch. Baby lice are called nymphs and they take another week to mature into adult lice.
Male adult lice feed on blood through the skin a few times a day, while female adult lice feed more rarely, but they produce eggs on a daily basis.
There are two major types of lice. They are chewing lice and sucking lice.
Chewing lice do exactly that. They chew. You can find them around the head and tail area of your dog. They like to hang around moist places.
Sucking lice are less painful for your dog and their favorite area is the neck. They prefer hiding under your dogs’ collar, but it’s not uncommon for them to start roaming around their whole body if left unchecked.
Signs of Lice Infestation in Dogs
Our beloved pups will experience a lot of suffering and uneasiness if they get lice and aren’t treated immediately. In addition to irritated scratching all of the time, which may cause them to damage their skin, they will also act anxious, worried, or sometimes even aggressive.
If you notice any of the unusual behavior described above you should check your pup for black and brown dots. If you find those, it’s quite possible that they are lice eggs. Don’t try to remove them because they are literally ‘glued’ to the hair until they hatch. Instead, take your dog to a veterinarian who will diagnose them and prescribe a treatment.
If you just ignore the symptoms, your dog could get seriously hurt. A lice infestation seems like a small problem but it can exponentially grow and start doing some serious damage.
Anemia, lethargy, weight loss, poor vital signs are some of the conditions that may develop if the infestation becomes severe. For that reason, you should treat your puppy as soon as you notice any worrisome symptoms.
Yes! Your veterinarian is most likely going to tell you which type of shampoo you should buy, but if you can’t visit a vet right now let’s take a look at what you can do to help your dog.
Dog shampoos are can make your dog’s skin less itchy, make their hair really soft, and help with unpleasant odors on your pup.
Dog shampoos specially designed to kill lice, fleas, and other similar parasites are professionally called ‘Topical Treatments’. It is the most effective way of removing this type of health hazard.
Vet Basics Lime Sulfur Dip
About: Vet Basics Lime Sulfur has both antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties, and it is effective for treating lice, ringworm, and mange, too.
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Features: Vet Basics Lime Sulfur Dip is a concentrated liquid, which you’ll dilute with water before use (you’ll need to mix 4 ounces of the liquid with a gallon of water). You can then use it as a dip or simply sponge it on your dog.
FAQ
Will dog flea shampoo kill lice?
Can I use dog shampoo on my hair for lice?
What is the fastest way to get rid of dog lice?