Mites and lice can be transmitted from other dogs or even wild animals such as foxes and wolves.

Ticks are a problem as they are difficult to remove and in some places can transmit serious infections. Wildlife such as sheep can be carriers but luckily these parasites prefer our dogs to us although mange mites can cause an itchy skin rash.

Treatment: Suitable insecticide is obtainable from the vet. It is important that the dogs bedding, carpets and furniture are treated with a biological spray, one that prevents the fleas from hatching and the environment that the dog uses are vacuumed

Sarcoptes Mange Mites: These mites are microscopic and they burrow into the skin usually at the tips of the ears or the elbow. The ears become crusty and scabby and itchy and the elbows become sore and itchy. Humans can be temporarily affected with an itchy rash, like mosquito bites especially around the waist.

Treatment: The dog's bedding should be scrupulously clean or replaced as these mites can live for a while in the bedding and wash the dog with a veterinary shampoo suitable for sarcoptes mites for around four weeks.

Dermodex Mange Mites: These parasites inhabit the hair follicles of your dog and multiply excessively in young short haired dogs or elderly dogs. There is no itching but nasty infected pus filled pimples appear.

Treatment: Your vet will be able to see the mites under a microscope and will prescribe a suitable insecticidal shampoo for you to bath your dog in until the mites are no longer present.

Cheyletiella mites: These mites produce dandruff visible on the back of the dog. These mites are just visible for us to see and can cause skin scaling which doesn't itch. They can cause an irritating rash on humans.

Treatment: Insecticidal shampoo will kill these mites and the bedding must be really cleaned as the mites have a long life cycle. It is important to treat all the dogs in the household at the same time. 

Harvest Mites: If you live in the country, your dog could suffer from small red, just visible, harvest mites which normally infest field mice. They are prevalent in Autumn and particularly irritate the dog's toes.

Treatment: Insecticidal shampoo from your vet will kill these mites but your dog may also need a course of anti inflammatory medicines.

Lice: These biting lice stay on the dog and stick their small white eggs, called nits, to the fur. They are really irritating for the dog and spread by direct contact.

Treatment: A veterinary insecticidal shampoo and a suitable nit comb is all that is needed because the fleas cannot live off the dog.

Ticks: Ticks bury their mouths into the skin of dogs, and because of the amount of blood they consume they grow to the size of a small pea. They are brownish white and can be seen quite clearly in the dogs fur. They come from sheep or deer. Paralysis can be caused by some ticks in Australia and North America and Lyme disease is also transmitted from ticks.

Treatment: Clean the area around the tick and then hold it firmly with your fingers or tweezers and with a twisting motion, take the tick off being very careful not to leave the head in the skin.