The Scratching Post
A newsletter from your friends at Vancouver Veterinary Hospital
is External
Parasite Awareness
month ! Month!
June is June
External
Parasite
Awareness
Happy June from Vancouver Veterinary Hospital! This month we are focusing on the impact of
external parasites on our pets, our environment and ourselves. In this issue we will learn about
which external parasites are common in Vancouver and how to prevent them from negatively
affecting our lives. Most of our pets will experience the discomfort of fleas, ticks or other
parasites at some point in their lives. These pests are not only irritating, they can be vectors for
disease, carry bacteria and cause serious skin problems. Anyone who has had a flea infestation
can tell you that external parasites are no picnic! Of course, if you have any questions or
concerns about this issue, come by the hospital and we'd be more than happy to share our
knowledge. We are also offering 10% off all flea and tick prevention products this month.
a
b
c
d
Recognize any of these pesky parasites? (Answers on page 2!)
Important Tips For External Parasite Awareness
* Look for fleas, ticks or any haircoat abnormalities when
you groom your dog or cat or when you return home from
areas that are known to have a higher presence of
parasites.
* See the vet if your pet is itching, chewing or licking
excessively, or if they are shaking their head. These can be
signs of external parasites or other medical conditions.
* The best way to keep parasites at bay is to use a year-round
preventative product, recommended by your vet.
* Treating parasites promptly can decrease discomfort for the
pet, reduce the chance of having an infestation in the home,
and decrease the chance of disease transmission.
* If one pet is being treated for parasites, then all family pets
should be examined and possibly treated.
* Let the vet know if you have used any home remedies or
other products before beginning a prescribed treatment.
* Follow label directions carefully. Some pesticides used for
flea treatment in dogs are NOT safe for use in cats.
* Your best advice will always come from the veterinarian! If
you are not sure which parasites are most common in your
area, or areas you are travelling to, you can ask the vet.
Ask a vet! Q&A with Dr. Amy Cheung
Dear Dr Amy,
My cat has never been
outside, but I just saw a flea
on her. How is this possible?
-Robin
Dear Robin,
Fleas and flea eggs can be transported indoors on
objects such as clothing or shoes. If you are living
in a shared appartment or house, neighboring
pets can potentially be carrying fleas if they go
outside. Flea eggs can lay dormant in common
areas such as elevators or hallways. They can also
be dormant in an empty house when you move in,
then hatch when your cat becomes available as a
host. Your cat should be treated for fleas and also
tapeworms, which are transmitted by fleas.
-Dr. Amy Cheung, DVM
Dr. Cheung joined the VVH team in April 2010. She has
quickly become popular with pets and clients alike. She
is always accepting new patients.
Visit Vancouver Veterinary Hospital today! 1541 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC, V5N 2R8 (604)876-2231
B.C's most wanted: What you should know about
our most common external parasites
Walking dandruff (Cheyletiella yasguri):
* Surface feeders, live in keratin on skin, feed on tissue fluids.
* Clinical signs include hair loss, skin infection, self
inflicted trauma from itching.
* Diagnosed by physical exam, skin scraping and
microscopic evaluation.
* Treated with insecticides.
Ear mites (Otodectes cyanotis):
* Usually affect cats; can occur in dogs and rabbits.
* Live in the ear canal and surrounding area.
* Transmitted by direct or close contact with infected animal.
* Clinical signs include increased wax production, ear infection, self inflicted
trauma from itching or shaking head, inflamed ears, dark, crusty discharge
from the ear canal.
* Diagnosed by physical exam, ear swab and microscopic evaluation.
* Treated with insecticides.
Did you know that fleas can jump a distance
that measures 150 times their own size? That
means if they were human sized they could
jump over the Empire state building!!!
Demodex (Demodex canis):
* Tiny, worm-like mites with short stubby legs.
* Host specific, not transferrable to humans.
* Clinical signs include hair loss, warm skin, red crusty
lessions, skin smells rancid and bleeds easily.
* Diagnosed by physical exam, deep skin scraping or biopsy.
* Treated with mitacides, and possibly antibiotics.
Sarcoptic mange (Scabies) (Sarcoptes species):
* Zoonotic (transferrable to humans).
* Contagious to dogs, rarely seen in cats.
* Clinical signs include hair loss, skin infection, self
inflicted trauma from itching, formation of crusts
and scabs.
* Diagnosed by physical exam, skin scrapings, skin
biopsy and microscopic evaluation.
* Treated with mitacides.
Lice:
* Small, wingless insects.
* Two types of lice: biting and sucking.
* Host specific (cats are not affected by sucking lice).
* Feed off dead skin, body secretions and hair.
* Transmitted by direct contact with infected animal or their bedding,
toys, etc.
* Clinical signs include skin infection, hair loss, self inflicted trauma
from itching.
* Diagnosed by physical exam, microscopic evaluation of hair sample.
* Treated with topical insecticides, fur clipping.
Ticks:
* Arachnids that suck blood.
* May act as vectors for other diseases such as Lyme
disease and Rickettsia.
* Clinical signs include visualization of tick on animal,
paralysis, anemia and weakness in large infestations.
* Diagnosis is visual and treated by removal of tick.
* Ticks commonly found in BC are the brown dog tick, blacklegged tick, and the
American dog tick.
Fleas:
* Affect both dogs and cats, can affect humans transiently.
* Can live for 100 days and a female can lay 2000 eggs in her lifetime.
* Eggs and larvae live in carpets and floorboards, feeding off adult flea 'dirt'.
* Clinical signs include scratching, biting, flea allergy dermatitis, excessive
grooming, tapeworms and anemia in extreme infestations.
* Treated with a variety of oral and topical medications.
Visit the comapion animal parasite counsil website for more info about
parasites in your area and beyond. www.petsandparasites.org
Travelling with your pet this
summer? Here are a few tips to keep them
safe and happy.
Plan ahead. Get to know which hotels,
camp sites and rest stops are pet friendly and
whether there are vet hospitals along your
route.
Bring a pet travel kit. First aid supplies,
extra medication if they require a prescription,
water and food dishes, grooming supplies
and toys will keep them safe and entertained.
Bring identification. Keep your pet's
collar on with ID tags in case they get loose.
Practice car safety. Use a pet seat belt.
If your pet experiences car sickness, you can
ask the vet about the use of an anti-nausea
medication. Never leave your pet in the car
unattended. The heat can be fatal in the
summer, even in the shade.
Use parasite protection. Make sure you
discuss all your travel plans with the vet.
Where you go may determine the type of
preventive medication you need. You may
need tick or heartworm protection if you are
travelling outside of the Vancouver area.
Keep safe and have fun!
And those pesky parasites from page 1?
a) Flea, b) Ear mite, c) Tick, d) Lice
Visit Vancouver Veterinary Hospital today! 1541 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC, V5N 2R8 (604)876-2231