What are ectoparasites? What harm do ectoparasites do to dogs?
Sarah Johnson
Healthcare Technology Correspondent
What are ectoparasites?
Ectoparasites refer to parasites that live outside the epidermis or skin layer of animals. They survive by sucking nutrients from the host. Common external parasites in dogs and cats include fleas, lice, ticks, scabies mites, demodex, ear mites, etc.
The harm of external parasites to dogs:
It will reduce the dog’s resistance
External parasites deprive the host of nutrients To survive, infected dogs will be in a state of nutritional deficiencies for a long time, their body resistance will be reduced, and they will easily get sick.
Can spread a variety of diseases
What’s even more frightening is that parasites contain a variety of germs and pathogens, and they spread back and forth among multiple hosts. A playful dog may be bitten Cause serious complications and infectious diseases, which are life-threatening.
Can cause serious skin diseases
Long-term bites of a large number of external parasites will damage the health of epidermal cells, and the secretions and excretions of the parasites will irritate the skin, which will cause parasitic skin diseases. , making the infected dog itchy and painful all the time, making it difficult to rest.
Will threaten the health of the owner
Certain types of parasites may be infected by humans and animals. If left unchecked and allowed to develop, they will directly threaten human health.