By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Itchy dogs keep vets busy, and external parasites are high on the list of causes. This A to Z summarises the pests you are most likely to meet in Australia, what they do, and which situations are urgent. Use it to prepare for a veterinary visit, not to replace one.
Key takeaways
- Fleas and paralysis ticks dominate Australian conversations about dog ectoparasites.
- Sarcoptic mange is highly itchy and contagious; demodectic mange behaves differently.
- Year-round prevention beats crisis bathing alone.
- Related: parasites in dogs, flea allergy, tick paralysis, sarcoptic mange.
A to Z
Demodex mites
Normal residents that overgrow when immunity dips. Patchy hair loss, often on face and feet; itch varies. Adult-onset cases can signal another illness. See also broader skin overviews such as dog skin diseases.
Ear mites
More common in puppies. Head shaking and dark debris. Cross-check ear mites in dogs.
Fleas
Cause itch, anaemia in heavy puppy infestations, and tapeworm transmission. Flea allergy can look dramatic even with few fleas seen. Life cycle details: flea life cycle. Appearance: what fleas look like.
Fur mites (Cheyletiella)
Walking dandruff along the back; can irritate people briefly.
Harvest / larval mites
Seasonal foot and belly itch after grassy outings in some areas. Feet may look red and the dog may lick paws obsessively.
Lice
Uncommon in healthy adult pets; look for crawling insects and eggs glued to hairs, usually in poorly kept or overcrowded animals.
Sarcoptes (sarcoptic mange)
Intense itch, especially ear margins, elbows and hocks. Highly contagious to other dogs and can cause temporary itchy bumps on people.
Ticks
Paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) toxin causes progressive paralysis. Attachments hide in armpits, groin, lips, eyelids and toes. Bush ticks and other species also attach. Daily searches plus preventives save lives. Locally acquired Lyme disease is not confirmed in Australia, so tick planning here focuses on paralysis ticks and local advice from your vet.
Shared warning signs
- Scratching, chewing, restless sleep
- Hair loss, scabs, hot spots
- Head shaking
- Visible fleas, ticks or black flea dirt
- Weakness or voice change in tick country
When it is an emergency
Any progressive weakness, breathing change, vomiting with ataxia, or collapse in a tick area is urgent. Puppies with pale gums from heavy flea burdens also need same-day care. Open, infected skin wounds after self-trauma should not wait.
Home steps while you arrange care
- Comb and tick-search thoroughly.
- Avoid tea tree oil, essential oils, engine-oil folk remedies and unlabelled washes. See tea tree oil safety.
- Do not use cat products on dogs or dog products on cats without veterinary confirmation.
- Vacuum and wash bedding if fleas are likely.
- Keep your dog cool and calm if weakness has started, and go to emergency care without delay.
Veterinary diagnosis and care
Skin scrapings, coat combings, ear cytology and response to trial therapy may all play a role. Your vet will select parasiticides that cover the likely pests and treat secondary infections. Environmental flea control is often required because eggs and larvae live off the dog. Follow label intervals exactly; early repeat dosing without advice can be unsafe.
Prevention
Use veterinary flea and tick prevention suited to your region year-round. Check your dog after bushwalks. Keep puppy worming and flea plans on schedule. Discuss household plans if you also keep cats. For bathing as an adjunct only, see flea shampoo guidance and flea bath tips.
After bushwalks and beach days
Make coat checks a habit: run hands over the dog from nose to tail, including lips, ears, armpits, groin and between toes. Remove any tick you find carefully and monitor for weakness for the next days even if the dog seems fine, because toxin signs can lag.
FAQ
Can I see all ticks easily?
No. Juvenile stages are tiny and hide well. Prevention plus careful searching matters.
My dog still itches on flea treatment. Why?
Allergy, mites, infection, incomplete environmental control or the wrong product spectrum are possibilities. Recheck rather than stacking random treatments.
Is Lyme disease a big local risk?
Locally acquired Lyme disease is not confirmed in Australia. Focus on paralysis ticks and other local issues your vet describes.
Are flea shampoos enough alone?
They may kill some adults on the coat but rarely solve an infestation without ongoing prevention.
Talk with a vet
If your dog is itchy or you found a tick, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide urgency and safe product directions. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Ectoparasites of Dogs.
- Australian Veterinary Association. Tick and flea control resources.
- RSPCA Australia. Dog parasite prevention information.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.
