Management of tick infestation in dogs

Ayodhya Somasani

doi:10.5455/javar.2014.a18

Abstract

The present study was carried out during the month of January 2014 when a total of 148 dogs with history of various diseases were presented to the Campus Veterinary Hospital, Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India. Out of 148 dogs that were presented to the hospital, 48 dogs had the clinical signs of loss of hair, itching, and reduced food intake. The dogs were restless and continuously rubbed their bodies against the walls in the houses, and scratching with their legs. Clinical examination of the dogs revealed presence of alopecia, pruritus, and the formation of small crusts. All 48 dogs were treated with ivermectin by subcutaneous injection dosed at 0.02 mL/kg body weight at a weekly interval for 2 to 3 weeks. All dogs were bathed with cypermethrin shampoo weekly once for 2-3 weeks. In the present study, it was observed that ivermectin/cypermethrin combination therapy was effective for the management of tick infestation in dogs.

Highlights

Ticks, lice, fleas and mites are the most common parasites of dogs found on skin
All tick-infested dogs were treated once weekly for 3 weeks with Ivermectin injection subcutaneously and cypermethrin shampoo
Out of 148 dogs that were presented to the hospital, 48 dogs had the clinical signs of alopecia, itching, reduced food intake, restlessness, and scratching and were continuously rubbing their bodies against the walls in the houses

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Lice, fleas and mites are the most common parasites of dogs found on skin. The tick infestation in dog underscores the importance of tick control measures (Beck et al, 2013). Adult dog ectoparasites feed on blood while they live on skin. Within 24 h, each female parasite can lay up to 50 eggs. The eggs fall off the dog into the surrounding area. The generation of ticks is developed in the house, car or other places where the dog goes. Some dogs bearing the ticks on their skin do not show any skin disease, whereas others can show hair loss, severe irritation, inflamed or secondarily-infected skin (Smith et al, 2011). Different pathogens are transmitted by ticks to animals and humans (Beck et al, 2013)

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSIONS