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One cause of pruritus in dogs is pediculosis, a disease transmitted by the high infestation of lice. We report two cases of pediculosis by Trichodectes canis in different stages of life: in a puppy dog and in an adult dog. In the first case, a female Chow Chow puppy dog, 2 months old, was presented showing clinical signs such as incoordination, poor body status, tangled hair in the ventral thoracic and abdominal area, pruritus, intense skin flaking, and seborrhea and sebaceous secretion besides fleas and lice. In the other case, an adult female Cocker Spaniel dog was attended, 8 years old, with severe itching, weight loss, listlessness, erythema in the abdominal area, neck, and ears, and presence of lice. The treatment for pediculosis caused by T. canis is simple, based on the application of fipronil spot-on. Thus, the veterinary practitioner should be aware of diseases that demonstrate seborrhea and pruritus, and include the infestation by T. canis in the differential diagnosis.

One hundred eighty-one dogs and 26 short-hair cats from suburban areas around Tirana, Albania were examined for ectoparasite infestation. The dogs were examined on several occasions from 2005 through 2009 representing three seasons: winter (December-February), spring (March-May), and summer (June-August); the cats were examined in late autumn (November). In addition, deep ear swab specimens of 30 dogs were examined for ear mites. The arthropod ectoparasite fauna of the dogs included two tick species (Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ixodes ricinus), three mite species (Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis, Otodectes cynotis, and Demodex canis), three flea species (Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis, and Pulex irritans), and one louse species (Trichodectes canis). In the dogs, rates of infestation were 23.8% for R. sanguineus, 0.6% for I. ricinus, 4.4% for S. scabiei var. canis, 6.7% for O. cynotis, 0.6% for D. canis, 75.7% for C. canis, 5.0% for C. felis, 8.3% for P. irritans, and 6.6% for T. canis. Mixed infestation with two or three species of ectoparasites was recorded on 38.1% of the dogs. Fleas infested 75.7% dogs (geometric mean, 3.96; range, 1-80) and were observed in winter, spring, and summer with increasing prevalences of 64.3%, 75.9%, and 100%. Ticks parasitized 24.3% of the dogs (geometric mean, 0.41; range, 1-331). R. sanguineus ticks were recorded on 34.2% and 50% of the dogs examined in spring and summer, respectively, but were absent on the dogs during winter except for a single I. ricinus specimen observed. Prevalence of infestation with R. sanguineus, S. scabiei var. canis, C. felis, P. irritans, and T. canis did not differ between dogsor = 6 months and dogs6 months of age; however, prevalence of infestation with C. canis was significantly (p0.01) higher in dogs6 months old. There was no difference between the sexes for the prevalences of infestation with those parasites. The examination of the cats revealed infestation with only one species of ectoparasite, C. felis (prevalence, 100%; geometric mean, 2.5; range, 1-9).

Two negative controlled GCP studies of identical design were conducted in adult mixed-breed dogs to evaluate the efficacy of imidacloprid-containing formulations when used at the minimum therapeutic dose to treat an existing natural infestation of dog lice (Trichodectes canis), and to control lice infestation for five weeks, following a single topical administration.

The presence of the dog biting louse, Trichodectes canis (De Geer, 1778; Ischnocera: Trichodectidae), is reported for the first time in the critically endangered Pseudalopex fulvipes (Martin, 1837) in Chiloe Island, south Chile.

The raccoon (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is described as a host of the dog biting louse, Trichodectes canis (De Geer, 1778). The present note reports the occurrence of this species of louse on two raccoon dogs from Moravia and Bohemia. The specimens of T. canis collected on this host differed from T. canis originating from the domestic dog by body size only.

Background Dogs are the most common pet animals worldwide. They may harbour a wide range of parasites with zoonotic potential, thus causing a health risk to humans. In Nigeria, epidemiological knowledge on these parasites is limited. Methods In a community-based study, we examined 396 dogs in urban and rural areas of Ilorin (Kwara State, Central Nigeria) for ectoparasites and intestinal helminths. In addition, a questionnaire regarding knowledge and practices was applied to pet owners. Results Nine ectoparasite species belonging to four taxa and six intestinal helminth species were identified: fleas (Ctenocephalides canis, Pulex irritans, Tunga penetrans), mites (Demodex canis, Otodectes sp., Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis), ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes sp.), and lice (Trichodectes canis); and Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma sp., Trichuris vulpis, Dipylidium caninum, Taenidae and Strongyloides sp. Overall prevalence of ectoparasites was 60.4% and of intestinal helminths 68.4%. The occurrence of C. canis, R. sanguineus, T. canis, Ancylostoma sp. and T. vulpis was most common (prevalence 14.4% to 41.7%). Prevalence patterns in helminths were age-dependent, with T. canis showing a decreasing prevalence with age of host, and a reverse trend in other parasite species. Knowledge regarding zoonoses was very limited and the diseases not considered a major health problem. Treatment with antiparasitic drugs was more frequent in urban areas. Conclusion Parasites of importance for human health were highly prevalent in Nigerian dogs. Interventions should include health education provided to dog owners and the establishment of a program focusing on zoonotic diseases.