09/11/2023
**DOG LICE PSA**
Over the past months it has become apparent that dog lice is becoming more prevalent, not just in town but in many parts of Alberta according to other groomers. So this post is to help educate as well as put a warning out there.
Lice are parasites that live on the skin and fur of an affected dog. They are actually a small insect that feeds by chewing on the skin of the dog or by sucking the blood, depending on the type of louse. Left unchecked, they can grow to be an infestation on the dog’s body.
Lice are species-specific. They do not move from one species to another. That means that you cannot get lice from your dog nor can your dog get human specific lice from you.
Lice, especially the eggs or nits, are sometimes mistaken for dandruff, and one way to distinguish lice from dandruff is by shaking hair removed from the dog. If the small flakes fall off, it’s dandruff. If they cling stubbornly to the hair, it’s probably lice. Other signs of lice infestations on your dog include:
-Scratching and intense itchiness.
-Rough, dry, or matted coat.
-Hair loss, specifically around ears, neck, shoulders, groin, and re**al regions.
-Small wounds or bacterial infections from bites by sucking lice.
-Restless behavior.
-Anemia in extreme cases, or in small dogs and puppies.
-Tapeworms and other bacteria or parasites that are spread by lice.
How Do Dogs Get Dog Lice?
Lice have limited mobility; they can crawl, but are unable to jump, hop, or fly. Also, adult lice die in a few days if they fall off the host. Transmission is usually through direct contact with another infested animal, although they can also be passed on from contaminated bedding, dog collars, or grooming tools. Lice may be a threat wherever dogs congregate, such as dog daycare centers, dog shows, boarding kennels, and parks.
There are three stages to the louse life cycle:
-egg
-nymph
-adult
The cycle starts when the female lays tiny yellow or white eggs at the base of the hair shaft. These eggs are glued to the hair and won’t fall off when the dog is shampooed.
It takes about one week for the eggs to hatch, releasing the immature lice, known as nymphs, which are no larger than the head of a pin. After about one week, they enter the adult phase, starting the cycle all over again. The Merck Veterinary Manual says it takes about 3-to-4 weeks for most lice to go from nit to reproductively capable adult.
How to treat for lice?
There are a wide variety of shampoos, as well as insecticidal sprays and powders that are effective in killing lice. It may be necessary to treat your dog more than once to kill the developing nits as they hatch. Follow your veterinarian’s directions closely, as these products can be harsh on some dogs, especially puppies.
To prevent reinfection, dispose of or wash all of your dog’s bedding, as well as thoroughly cleaning all of the places your dog spends time. Some items that cannot be laundered or washed down may be sealed tightly in plastic bags. Disinfect all grooming utensils and anything else your dog comes into contact with regularly, such as crates, and of course, all furniture, rugs, carpeting and hard flooring.
**As per my policies, I am unable to accept dogs with lice, fleas, or ticks for grooming, due to their contagious nature. **
Finding any of these is never fun, and I always stop everything in order to do all things necessary to get rid of these bugs, to prevent any risk of transmission. Going forward, when a dog comes in with lice, fleas, or ticks, there will be a $30 fee. This will cover all necessary sanitization, as well as the cost of products used to treat the exposed areas.
I appreciate everyone taking the time to read this through, I hope this helps bring awareness. ❤️ Please share so we can reach more people!
