Pediculosis is also known as lice. Lice are small insects that can live on your dog’s skin and hair coat. These parasites are flattened and do not have any wings. Once they find a host, they do not want to leave and will spend the extent of their life on him. There are several types of lice; those that suck blood and those that do not, preferring to chew on skin. The presence of lice on your dog can cause skin irritation, itchiness and in severe cases anemia. Without treatment, lice can spread to the entirety of your dog’s body.
The lice that are found on your dog are not the same as those that affect people. Young dogs, elderly dogs in unsanitary conditions and those who are malnourished are more likely to become infected; lice is not common in healthy pets that are kept clean. Fortunately, lice are easily eradicated by topical insecticides.
Pediculosis, or lice, are parasites that can either suck the blood of your dog or chew on his skin.