Flea & tick

Dandruff in dogs describes an accumulation of dry flakes on the surface of the skin. It is a common symptom affecting dogs of any age and results from a variety of underlying conditions.

A rash is a very common symptom of many skin conditions in cats. Rashes include many different skin abnormalities including red spots, hair loss, scabs, raw patches, and thick crusting with wrinkled skin (lichenification).

Tularemia in dogs, often called “rabbit fever,” is a form of blood poisoning caused by the organism Francisella tularensis. Tularemia causes severe disease in humans and is easily passed from infected pets to owners.

Plague is a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria which can affect different species, including cats and humans. Flea bites, contact with infected rodents, or inhalation of infected saliva droplets can transmit Y. pestis bacteria.

Bartonella spp. is a type of bacteria living inside red blood cells, leading to a condition called bartonellosis. Fleas pass bartonella to cats through their feces, and cats become infected through regular grooming behavior leading to feces ingestion,

Itching (also referred to as pruritus) in horses is a common symptom that may indicate insect bites, skin infection, or allergic reactions. An itchy horse will often rub against other surfaces, including stalls, trees, fences, or buildings, which may lead to loss of hair and more irritated skin.

Subcutaneous lumps appear in dogs as abnormal growths or masses located under the skin. If the lump is manipulated manually, the feeling of a subcutaneous lump varies depending on the cause but it is a bump separate from the skin.

Hair loss (also known as alopecia) in horses occurs for three main reasons: because the hair has been broken or rubbed off; the immune system is not working properly and an infection has taken root; or the immune system targets the hair as a foreign invader. 

Babesiosis in cats is a serious tick-borne disease resulting from infection with the Babesia parasite. Transmission of Babesia involves a bite from an infected tick of the Ixodes tick family.

Lice infestation, also known as pediculosis, describes parasitic infestation of the skin and hair with different species of lice. Infestation is more commonly seen in young, debilitated, and malnourished dogs.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a tick-borne bacterial disease commonly seen in dogs and humans that is rarely found in cats. RMSF transmission occurs through bites from infected ticks.

Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through a tick bite. Ticks that transmit the disease are found worldwide. Active, outdoor dogs in high density tick areas are most likely to contract the disease.

Babesiosis is a blood infection caused by Babesia spp. parasites. There are over 100 species globally and cases occur across North America.

Feline alopecia or hair loss is the partial or complete absence of hair in areas of the body where hair is expected to be.

Hair loss, or alopecia, is characterized by hair loss leading to bald patches and places in the coat that are abnormally sparse.

Pale gums are when the normal pink color of the gums turns pale or white, usually due to a serious underlying health problem.

Skin lumps occurring within or near the surface of the skin are called cutaneous masses.

African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly fatal disease endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.

Cutaneous lumps are lumps within a dog’s skin which make a nodule, raised area, or discoloration on the surface of the skin.

Anaplasmosis is an infectious, tick-borne disease that affects horses caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

Hepatozoonosis is a tick-borne protozoal infection in dogs.

Subcutaneous lumps are found under the skin, rather than within the skin or at the surface of the skin. If a lump does not create a visible mark or disruption on the skin, doesn’t arise from the bone, and the skin moves freely over it, it is a subcutaneous lump.

Tick paralysis results when a tick’s saliva delivers a paralytic toxin into the bloodstream of its host. Equine tick paralysis is rare, as horses seem to be resistant to most tick toxins.

Piroplasmosis is a tick-borne parasitic disease of horses. Most infected horses do not develop symptoms of piroplasmosis.

Ticks are small parasitic arachnids and carry a number of different diseases that can transmit to mammalian hosts. The outdoor lifestyle of horses makes them susceptible to tick infestation,

Lyme disease is caused by the tick-borne bacteria *Borrelia burgdorferi*. Horses become infected with the bacteria when an infected tick feeds on them.

A dog may obsessively lick and chew themselves, objects in their environment, or towards nothing in midair.

Paralysis is the lack of ability to voluntarily move one or more parts of the body. It may or may not be accompanied by loss of sensation.

Paralysis is the complete loss of the ability to move or feel a part of the body. It can affect any or all limbs of the body, the face, or the vocal cords. It may be acute or chronic.

Itchy skin, or pruritus, is a common symptom of multiple conditions. Scratching, rubbing, licking, and chewing are the most common signs shown by itchy dogs.