A parasite is an organism that lives off the resources of it’s host – fresh blood and a warm place to stay (in and on the fur and skin).
External parasites can be fairly common in dogs. The most common parasites that might affect a dog are:
All of these parasites cause symptoms in your dog – typically itching and inflamed skin and a dull coat and bald spots. In serious cases, your dog may develop anaemia and become generall debilitated – particularly if he is very young, very old or suffering from any other medical condition.
Many external parasites can also convey secondary and internal parasites to your dog. For example, fleas usually carry the common tapeworm, which causes constipation and flatulence and tick can cause a variety of much more serious problems like Lyme’s Disease and paralysis.