If your pets are scratching themselves a lot, if their coats are looking dry and disheveled, and if they are losing hair, then they might have lice. These are parasites that have to be dealt with before they become a full-blown infestation. Lice can camp out on your pet and feed on the skin; in the case of a dog, it might suck the blood. It is more likely to see fleas on your pet, but if he or she has been in unhygienic places recently, they could come away with a different unwelcome guest. There are slight variations between a cat and a dog in this case. These differences will be noted as we trace the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

If a dog is infested, then an additional symptom you might see is anemia. This is especially true for smaller or younger dogs; this would point to an especially serious infestation. A dog can be infested with two different species: "trichodectes canis", which chews the skin, and "linognathus setosus", which sucks blood. If a cat has lice, the only insect it can be is the "felicola subrostrata". One cat or dog can pass this parasite to another through contact, or through leaving the insects behind on a brush or bed. Whatever lice your pet has can only affect them; you will not get this lice, and you cannot give your pet human lice. Neither can a cat give a dog lice, or vice versa. These parasites stick to specific species.

Once you suspect that your cat or dog has lice, this will be simple to confirm. You will be able to see either the lice, or their eggs (nits) with your bare eyes. A full-grown lice is a flat and wingless insect with six legs. Nits will collect along shafts of hair; they will look like white dots.

When you have ascertained that your pet has lice, here is what you can do. There are several products you may be able to use for treatment. You might be able to find the shampoo you need to get rid of the infestation, and there are also insecticide powders and sprays. Fipronil and selamectin can also be helpful, whatever brand name they are under. You will need to treat your cat or dog more than once, as you need to get rid of nits that hatch. Sometimes, a pet with a desperately matted coat just has to have their fur shaved off so that you can reach lice that are further in, along with the nits. You will want a veterinarian's guidelines for applying treatment in any case, because not only are many products good at killing lice, but they can also have painful side effects for a cat or dog if not used properly. This is particularly true for a younger pet, so follow instructions carefully.

Then you will have to move onto making sure that your pet is not infested again. You will have to get rid of your pet's bed, unless you want to try cleaning it rigorously. You will have to go on to cleaning every place that your pet frequents. Things like plastic toys that cannot go in the laundry may have to go into a plastic bag to be sealed off for a few weeks. Take brushes, crates, and any tools, then disinfect them. You will also need to disinfect things like a litter box, and any furniture, carpet, rugs, and wood floors that your pet touches on a consistent basis.

For further advice on the diagnosis and treatment of your pet, do not hesitate to contact a qualified veterinarian. Together, you can help your pet live a long and healthy life.