Lice and Mites

There are several types of these guys that can affect your pet in different ways, depending on the part of the body where they are found.

Lice and Mites are common parasites that can affect pets in different ways, depending on the part of the body where they are found. Mite infections can cause ITCHY or SORE SKIN or EARS, and HAIR LOSS.

A couple of types of mites that affect our pets can infect us as well, either being passed on from our pets (Sarcoptes / scabies, Cheyletiella) or from the environment (Harvest Mites).

Our pets can pick up mites from several different places including other dogs or cats and in woodland or parkland. Demodex mites in dogs are always present in very low numbers in healthy pets but can multiply and cause disease if a dog has a low immune system or if they have another underlying disease. The same is true for Cheyletiella mites in rabbits.

As with fleas and ticks, mite prevention is better than treatment once your pet is already infected. Many of the spot-on or tablet treatments that prevent fleas and ticks are also licensed to prevent mites, including ear mites in dogs. If your pet is diagnosed with mites then treatment will depend on what sort of mite is found, but may require a spot-on or tablet treatment, or topical medication.

LICE

Lice can cause sore itchy skin or, in the case of some very heavy infestations, anaemia (low red blood cells).

Lice infestations are not very common in well-cared for pets in the UK and are most likely in very young or poorly pets, or in pets kept in crowded or dirty housing.

Lice are very species specific. This means that lice that affect our pets will not infect us or vice versa.

Most prescription strength flea prevention will also prevent and treat lice.

IN A NUTSHELL: Mites and lice make our pets itchy and sore and some types can be
passed on to us so use a regular mite/lice treatment to discourage infection.