Parasites

Biting lice are small wingless insects that spend their entire life cycle on the host.

The biting lice are host specific, meaning that a dog louse will not infect a cat, and the cat louse will not infect a dog. The dog louse has 2 species; Trichodectes canis and Linognathus setosus. The cat louse is called Felicola subrostratus.The lice are transmitted by direct animal contact.

Very young or old animals are those most at risk of a biting lice infestation. Damage to the skin at the feeding site of the louse will appear, resulting in inflammation, hair loss and bacterial infections. A heavy infestation can result in intense itching.