Lice in dogs and cats
Written by Anne |
Lice are small insects that can be found on almost every species of bird and mammal. Broadly speaking, we can distinguish between two types of lice: the blood-sucking louse and the chewing louse.
Blood-Sucking Lice (Sucking Louse or Mite)
The official name of this ectoparasite, commonly referred to as a blood louse, is the bird mite. To reproduce, the blood-sucking louse requires the blood of birds. However, in the absence of birds, they will seek out another host to feed on. This can be almost any mammal, including dogs and cats. Even humans are not safe from the blood louse. Blood lice are a serious nuisance for bird enthusiasts and poultry farmers, as these tiny insects reproduce extremely quickly. At night, they suck blood, while during the day, they hide in the smallest crevices of cages or aviaries, making them very difficult to eradicate. Additionally, bird mites can survive for months without food and endure significant temperature fluctuations. Blood lice are rare in dogs and cats.
Chewing Lice (Biting Louse)
The chewing louse—also known as a coat louse—feeds on skin flakes and blood and lives permanently in the host’s fur. Chewing lice measure between 1-2 millimetres and are visible to the naked eye. They are easiest to spot when combing through your dog’s or cat’s coat with a nit comb or fine flea comb. The louse eggs, commonly referred to as nits, are firmly attached to the hairs.
Infestation
Infestation with chewing or blood lice is uncommon in dogs and cats. Lice are mainly found in animals that receive insufficient general care and live in unhygienic, overcrowded conditions. When multiple animals live together in a confined space, lice can easily spread and multiply rapidly.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a lice infestation closely resemble those of a flea infestation:
- Itching and excessive scratching
- A musty odour from the coat
- Skin damage or infections caused by scratching
Treatment and Prevention
Lice can be easily treated with an anti-flea product such as Frontline Spot On. Additionally, as with a flea infestation, it is crucial to thoroughly clean your pet’s environment. Wash bedding, toys, and blankets at a high temperature in the washing machine. Items that cannot be washed, such as brushes or plastic toys, can be cleaned with a steam cleaner. It is also highly recommended to treat the surroundings with an environmental spray, such as Virbac Indorex Defence Spray or Bolfo Fleegard Spray.
Regular (preventive) flea treatment with a product like Frontline will also eliminate lice. If your pet has a lice infestation, it is essential to treat all animals in the household simultaneously to minimise the risk of (re)infestation.
Lice and Humans
Lice that infest dogs and cats do not pose a threat to humans. Lice are highly host-specific and will not readily switch hosts. Under normal hygienic conditions, the risk of contracting lice from your pet is very low.
Do you have any questions about the prevention or treatment of lice in dogs or cats? Please contact our veterinarian via WhatsApp (0031 850871821), via email: [email protected], or by phone (033 0818 0862).
