Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

126 •DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
Preventic tick collars containing amitraz are quite effective in controlling
ticks. These collars are effective for up to three months, but should not be
used on puppies under 12 weeks of age and should not be used on household
dogs where young children may come in contact with the collar. Frontline,
used to control fleas, kills or disables most ticks for up to 30 days following a
single application. Consider using this product along with an amitraz tick collar
during the tick season. Advantix is another topical product that can repel
and kill some species of ticks.
For outdoor control, cut tall grass, weeds, and brush. Treat the yard with an
insecticide labeled as safe for use with animals. Use according to directions.
Other External Parasites
SCABIES (SARCOPTIC MANGE)
Scabies, tiny spiderlike mites, are highly contagious and are transmitted primarily
by direct contact and through contaminated grooming equipment and
kennels. These mites are also transferable to humans and other pets.
Probably no other skin disease will cause your dog to scratch and bite at her
skin with such intensity. The severe itching is caused by female mites tunneling
a few millimeters under the skin to lay their eggs. The eggs hatch in 3 to 10
days. The immature mites develop into adults and begin to lay eggs of their
own. The entire life cycle occurs on the dog’s skin, and takes just 17 to 21 days.
Scabies attacks the skin of the ears, elbows, hocks, and the underside of the
chest and face. The onset is abrupt with scratching, hair loss, and inflamed skin
in these areas. Crusty ear tips are characteristic. A classic test for scabies is to rub
the ear flap between your fingers and watch the dog scratch on the same side. In
the later stages the skin becomes thick, crusted, scaly, and darkly pigmented.
Scabies in people can produce an itchy rash, typically found at the belt
line. This rash is caused by insects that have transferred from the dog. Scabies
mites, however, do not live on human skin for longer than three weeks. If the
problem does not disappear in three weeks, look for a continuing source of
infestation.
The diagnosis is made by examining skin scrapings under a microscope. In
some cases the mites may not be identified. If the dog’s symptoms strongly
suggest scabies, your veterinarian may decide to begin treatment as a diagnostic
test. A positive response to the treatment confirms the diagnosis of scabies.
Treatment: Scabies must be treated under veterinary supervision. Clip the
hair away from scabies-affected areas on medium- and longhaired dogs and
bathe the entire animal using a benzoyl peroxide shampoo (such as OxyDex
or Pyoben). The shampoo loosens scales and makes it possible for an insecticide
dip to penetrate the hair pores.