Dog lice increasing

Photo: Dog Breed Info

In the 18 years Lisa, from Lisa's Pretty Pups has been grooming dogs she has never seen an outbreak of canine lice like what she is seeing right now. 

"It is crazy the number cases of lice I have seen here. Unreal."

Lisa moved from Manitoba to Vernon three years ago. She says there, she usually deals with ticks and fleas, but from what she has seen here, lice are prevalent in the Okanagan.  

"Between late November and early December I had eight or nine cases."

That represents about 10 to 15 per cent of her clients. 

"It is disturbing because I am only one groomer and I am seeing many cases. What about the other groomers?"

Lisa shared a post warning dog owners and groomers to the Vernon and Area Community Forum Facebook page at the request of another groomer in town, It's bath time! Dog grooming.

Lisa verified with local veterinarians there was an increase in lice before creating the post. 

"I got a phone call from a groomer doing a courtesy call to all dog groomers in the city. They have a huge business and they have been seeing a lot."

Symptoms of lice infestation in dogs can include one or more of the following:

• Itchiness.
• Scratching, rubbing and/or biting at the skin.
• Restlessness.
• Skin redness, irritation.
• Dry coat.
• Matted fur.
• Hair loss – often around the neck, ears, upper back, groin and rectum.
• Anemia – more often seen with a severe infestation.

Dog lice are species specific, so an infestation spreading to humans is not likely, however, it can spread through the dog community quickly.

"I would love to see signs posted at our dog parks stating that there is a louse epidemic." 

Lisa adds that unless your dog is treated as a preventive measure, "there are high chances your dog will get lice and then the next dog it touches and so on..."

If dog owners don't address their animal's louse issues, Lisa says that they could be subject to a fee increase when the time comes to have their dog groomed.