External Parasites and Parasitic Skin Diseases
Fleas—Pediculi or Lice—Ringworm—Sarcoptic Mange—Follicular Mange
FLEAS
During the warm weather more particularly, fleas are a source of great annoyance to dogs, and frequently to their owners, more especially if the animal be kept in the house.
Owing to the rapid multiplication of fleas, dogs that are not regularly groomed or washed, soon become swarmed with these pests, consequently the severe irritation they produce upon the skin causes the animal to lose condition, whilst the scratching and biting destroys its coat. Regularity of washing, both dog and kennel, constitutes the best means of checking these pests.
Wash all woodwork with boiling water and Stone Ammonia, then expose to air.
Turpentine is a capital thing to sprinkle the kennel, benches, etc., with. Fleas seem to dislike this drug more than any other agent we have employed.
A very good dressing for destroying fleas is composed of an ounce each of turpentine and terebene, dissolved in a pint of methylated spirits of wine.
PEDICULI OR LICE (PHTHIRIASIS)
Whenever dogs get into this condition, it is reasonable to conclude that there has been a want of proper attention.
One may go further, by saying that it is generally the outcome of neglect, and a lousy dog should only be found in the kennel of the sluggard, no matter whatever be the source of infection. Detection at an exhibition leads to exclusion, and rightly so.
The eggs or "nits" are attached firmly to the shafts of the hairs close to the root, and hatch in about five days after being deposited.
Any part of the body may be the seat of these parasites, but those parts where the hairy covering is dense, constitute the most favourable cover.
Loss of condition soon follows the invasion.
Treatment.—Use the brush and comb freely. Scrub all kennel fittings with strong decoction of tobacco.
Dress dog with the following:—
| ℞ | Oil of Stavesacre | 1 ounce |
| Olive Oil | 14 ounces |
Mix and rub in with a stiff brush.
An infusion of quassia is an excellent and harmless remedy.
Buy 4d. of quassia chips, and add a quart of boiling water, with the addition of half an ounce of shag tobacco, infusing for six hours. Dress dog all over, rubbing well into "under" coat, if dog has one.
Dog ticks may be snipped off with scissors.
RINGWORM
Although now and then affected with ringworm, the dog does not suffer from the skin disease anything like so commonly as cattle.
The chief variety seen upon the dog is that induced by the vegetable parasite, Tricophyton tonsurans, which assumes a circular, or shield-like form. Honeycomb ringworm is another variety. The patch is about an inch long as a rule, scaly, and shows the hairs broken across, giving it a stubbly appearance. It is easily recognised.
Ringworm can be readily transferred from one dog to another, or to animals of different species, and the converse.
Treatment.—Paint the bare patch or patches with iodine liniment; groom well and feed well. Keep dog away from others until cured.
SARCOPTIC MANGE
This is a very common form of mange, though often confused with non-parasitic eczema.
The mange mite is known as Sarcoptes canis, and takes up its abode upon the superficial dermoid structures.
The irritation thus induced, causes the dog to bite and scratch the part, ending in the production of a raw, weeping surface, extending from point to point, unless something is done to check the ravages of the mites. With licking, biting and scratching, these parasites are transferred as indicated, and an artificial form of eczema induced.
The diagnosis can be confirmed by microscopic examination of the under surfaces of the crusts upon the sores.
Treatment.—Being contagious, keep the diseased dog from healthy ones until cured.
All fittings, clothing, and other appliances likely to have been in contact with the diseased dog ought to be thoroughly scalded with boiling water and soda.
Short-coated dogs are more readily curable than heavily-coated varieties.
Wash dog twice weekly, and after thoroughly drying, dress all over with a dressing, composed of 4 ounces of flowers of sulphur, ½ ounce of oil of tar, and a pint of train, or colza oil.
This dressing should be washed off in about three or four days, and repeated until cured.
A bath of sulphurated potash is a capital remedy.
Add an ounce of sulphurated potash to every ten gallons of tepid water.
In some instances it is advisable to clip the dog, thus facilitating the penetration of the dressing.
Almost every kennel man and doggy man has his so-called mange cure, but the first principles are to make a diagnosis of the complaint under which the animal is labouring.
FOLLICULAR MANGE
This is a very intractable variety of mange, resulting from the invasion of the hair-follicles by a minute mite, known as Demodex folliculorum, easily recognisable on microscopic examination. It is of lobster-like shape.
It will readily be understood that the inaccessible habitats of these mites renders the effective application of medicinal agents at a disadvantage.
Destruction of the roots of the hairs is a common result, and a permanent bare patch often remains as a legacy of the parasitic attack.
Like the sarcoptic, follicular mange is transferable from one dog to another, though less readily than the former.
Bare patches should be shaved all around, and the part painted with colourless tincture of iodine daily, or twice daily.
The most satisfactory way of dealing with this complaint is to consult a qualified veterinary surgeon.