Armstrong, James M.

McWhorter, G. Michael

Texas A&amp;M Repository

L-1734EXTERNAL PARASITE CONTROLON DOGS, CATS AND BIRDSG. Michael McWhorter and James M. Armstrong*Pets have been recognized as important membersof American society for years and often are regardedas irreplaceable members of the family. Pet ownersrealize many aesthetic, emotional and monetary bene-fits from ownership. They want healthy pets andspend vast amounts of money annually to purchasepet accessories and to groom, feed and provide for thegeneral well-being of cats, dogs, birds and other smalldomestic pets. Control of external parasites is essen-tial to a pet's health and is important for owners, sincesome parasites may also attack humans.Parasite Control RequirementsSmall domestic pets often are maintained in thehome, an environment favorable to the year-rounddevelopment of numerous external parasites. As a re-sult, seasonal fluctuation in occurrence and abun-dance of parasites may not be detected as easily as onlarger animals that are kept out-of-doors. Successfulparasite control on dogs, cats and pet birds usuallyrequires the proper use of approved pesticides on thepet, its bedding, pen and other areas in the yard orhouse that are visited by the pet. Treatment of onlyone of these areas probably will prove unsatisfactorybecause parasite maintenance and pet reinfestationmay occur from several sources. For example, fleasthat attack the dog or cat may be harbored in the pet'sbedding, the carpet of the home or the yard grass.Recurring parasite problems require treatment of thepet and of all these areas simultaneously.*Extension entomologist and Extension veterinarian (livestockhealth), The Texas A&M University System.Treatment of PremisesCareful treatment of indoor areas frequented bypets is important in effective parasite control pro-grams. Approved residual pesticides may be appliedto the pet's sleeping quarters, to baseboards, carpets,drapes and fabric-covered furniture. Reapplication ofpesticides may be required to eliminate the parasiteinfestations completely. A certified pest controloperator is familiar with the procedures and approvedpesticides required to control animal parasites infest-ing the home and yard. During warm weather, pes-ticide treatment of outdoor areas frequented by petsmay be necessary. Grass, crawl spaces, kennels andexercise areas are often infested with ticks, fleas andmites. Treatment of these areas with approved pes-ticides will eliminate these important sources of petreinfestation.Confinement of pets within the premises and pre-vention of infested stray animals visiting or crossingthe premises is also important to effective externalparasite control.Pesticide Use PrecautionsAll pesticides are toxic and should be used onlyaccording to instructions on the container label. Dos-age rates, treatment methods-, application intervalsand the names ofanimals that may be treated with thepesticide appear on the label. The information shouldbe read thoroughly and understood by the applicatorprior to using the pesticide.Treat the pet'sbedding inside the homeTreat the pet'soutside quartersTreat the petFigure 1. Successful pest controlrequires a multiple treatment approach.Common Parasites of PetsFleasFleas are common insect parasites of many pets.Dog and cat fleas feed on a number of hosts includingman. The life cycle of the flea is composed of the egg,larva, pupa and blood-feeding adults. Fertilizedfemale fleas can produce over 400 glistening whiteelongated eggs that hatch within 3 to 12 days depend-ing on humidity and temperature. Eggs are depositedon the host but fall off the animal onto bedding andother areas frequented by the pet. Slender, yellowlarvae hatch from eggs and feed on flea droppings andother debris found in the resting place of the hostanimal. Within 9 to 15 days larvae develop into aresting, non-feeding pupal stage lasting from 7 days toapproximately 1 year. The time span of the adult stageis variable and individuals can survive prolongedperiods of starvation caused by host detachment. Fleacontrol is important since fleas can transfer a varietyof disease agents, cause dermatitis and serve as theintermediate hosts of several internal parasites.TicksSeveral species of ticks infest dogs and cats. TheAmerican dog tick and the brown tick are most com-mon. The life cycle of the tick includes the egg, six-legged larvae (seed tick), nymph and adult. The lar-val, nymphal and adult stages require blood mealsfrom warm-blooded hosts to mature. Blood-engorged,mated females lay 1,000 to 3,000 eggs in grass, cracksin walls, baseboards and other protected areas. Afterhatching, larvae and nymphs seek a warm-bloodedhost to secure a blood meal. Tick feeding results inblood loss and irritation to the pet and the possiblespread of disease-causing organisms. Pet paralysiscaused by the injections of toxins during the feedingof some tick species is also possible.LiceAlthough several species of lice occur on pets,they are uncommon and usually restricted to alocalized situation. Both biting and sucking lice attackpets. Sucking lice are blood feeders and may causeanemia and severe skin irritation when heavy infesta-tions occur. Biting lice feed on skin debris and thehair coat. Irritation, damage and/or loss of hair oftenresults from the feeding activities ofbiting lice. Matedfemales attach eggs to the hair shafts of host animals.Lice nymphs hatch from eggs in 7 to 10 days andmature into the adult stage. The entire life cycle isspent on the host and removal quickly results in deathof the louse.MitesSeveral species of mites infest pets. These oftenmicroscopic parasites may burrow into the skin ormay exist under scabs of serum exudate that resultfrom mite feeding. Mated females lay eggs in burrowsor on the surface of the pefs skin. Nymphs hatch fromthe egg and mature into adults after taking numerousblood meals. Mange symptoms (severe irritation lead-ing to localized swelling, infection, and eventual lossof hair), result from mite burrowing and feeding. Ex-treme cases may kill the pet. Mites also attack the earsof dogs and cats, causing discomfort, loss of appetiteand violent shaking of the head. Pets with a seriousmite infestation often require treatment by a veteri-narian.Pesticides Commonly Used for External Parasite ControlWhen using pesticides, follow all instructions on the container label. Both common and trade names are given.Pet TreatmentPet External parasitefleasticksUse productscontainingchlorpyrifos (Dursban®)dichlorvos (Vapona®)lindanecarbaryl (Sevin®)dioxathion (Delnav®)pyrethrin + piperonylbutoxidecarbaryl (Sevin®)ronnel (Korlan®)dioxathion (Delnav®)malathionpyrethrin + piperonylbutoxidelice coumaphos (CoRal®)malathionmethoxychlorronnel (Korlan®)(Sucking louse) (Biting louse)~1;T:~~i~}~yymitesfleaslindanecarbaryl (Sevin®)malathionronnel (Korlan®)lindanePet External parasiteUse productscontainingtickslicecarbaryl (Sevin®)malathionpyrethrincarbaryl (Sevin®)rotenonepyrethrin(Biting louse) (Sucking louse)mites lindanepyrethrin piperonylbutoxidepyrethrin + piperonylbutoxidelicemites~';/}'',II~ '..~1-----:::::;=----------------------------------f-lt.....~ '~'(Red louse)Premise TreatmentPest Use products containingFleas carbaryl (Sevin®)ronnel (Korlan®)chlorpyrifos (Dursban®)diazinon (Spectracide®)Ticks carbaryl (Sevin®)ronnel (Korlan®)diazinon (Spectracide®)Flies ~'I_~" ~f.: ~,J \naled (Dibrom®)Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socio-economiclevel, race, color, sex, religion or national origin.Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, The Texas A&M University System and the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, andJune 30, 1914.2OM-4-79, ew E T

External Parasite Control on Dogs, Cats and Birds.

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External Parasite Control on Dogs, Cats and Birds.

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External Parasite Control on Dogs, Cats and Birds.

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Texas A&amp;M Repository

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