Dog Licking and Lice

Two different types of lice can infest your dog. Both types live on the skin, but one type feeds on skin flakes and dander while the other feeds on the dog's blood. Both types of parasite cause discomfort, but the lice that feeds on blood can cause additional skin irritations and allergies. If your dog exhibits signs of excessive licking and you suspect your pet may be infested with lice, seek treatment right away to prevent further complications.

  1. Causes

    • Proper nutrition is essential to your pet's health, as lice are usually more common on undernourished dogs. Your dog may also become infested if it is in contact on a regular basis with other dogs around your neighborhood, especially strays. Fortunately, lice is not a big problem in the United States, especially if your dog sleeps in a clean environment and gets proper care.

    Symptoms

    • Excessive licking of the skin is one of the most common indicators your dog has lice, as the saliva temporarily cools and relieves the itching. The dog also scratches more than usual. Visible lice is dark brown in color, and may be seen in areas around the ears and rectum. Nits, which are lice eggs, stick to the fur and appear as tiny white specks.

    Additional Problems

    • Lice left untreated can cause a variety of other problems for your pet. The excessive licking can cause secondary skin infections, which can lead to bald spots in you dog's fur. Your dog can also become extremely stressed, due to the constant irritation on its skin. If the lice live long enough on the dog, it can lead to severe anemia and weakness.

    Treatment

    • Dog lice is easy to treat with insecticides and dog dips. Sprays and powders can also be purchased over the counter, although a bath with an insecticide solution may be more effective, as the dog is completely saturated. You may have to treat the dog for a few weeks until all the lice are gone. You should also completely change your pet's bedding, and clean the dog's area with a bleach solution.