While it doesn't happen often in the United States, dogs can contract lice just like humans can. The types of lice that affect dogs cannot be transferred to humans or other types of animals. They can, however, be given to other dogs. There are two types of canine lice: the biting lice, which feeds on skin cells, and the sucking lice, which feeds on the dog's blood.
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Identification
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Canine lice are flat, gray parasites that don't move very fast. They are small in size but can still be seen easily by the naked eye. They appear as small black specs on the skin and often times resemble dirt. Most often, they are first spotted as tiny white eggs.
Symptoms
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Dogs with canine lice can have rough and matted fur. Hair loss is also possible in severe infestations. If the dog is infected with the biting lice, he might may have some itching at the infected site. The sucking lice often leave the dog with anemia because of the loss of red blood cells. However, this is more common with puppies and rarely happens in older dogs.
Transmission
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Transmission can occur when an infested dog comes into contact with another dog or intermediary surfaces. Re-infestation can occur if your dog comes in contact with grooming tools, bedding, kennels, veterinary offices or even groomers that haven't been properly cleaned after a lice outbreak.
Treatment
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Canine lice is easier to treat than human lice, since canine lice haven't built up an immunity to the treatment. To kill the adult lice, bathe your dog with a pyrethrin shampoo every seven to 14 days, depending on severity. Once the dog is dry, you might want to use a pyrethrin powder to kill any lice the shampoo didn't get. Your veterinarian could also prescribe Frontline or Advantage as an extra measure.
Home Treatment
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While it might not be necessary to de-lice the dog's environment, make sure to keep all grooming tools clean and sanitized. If the infestation was severe enough, you might want to wash and dry the bedding on as high a heat setting as your machine allows. Also wash any clothes or bedding that the dog has come in contact with while infested. If it's warranted, flea and tick foggers can be used to kill any lice still remaining in the home.
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