I took Ghost to the vet today because I saw what I thought was flea larvae on him. I had given him proper flea medicines (orally) to take care of adult and eggs for fleas. So I was shocked that he had anything. He had HUNDREDS of tiny little - well it was lice - but I didn't know what it was exactly at the time!

The vet said WHERE did you buy him at because he is infested and this came from the breeder. We've had him for one week and he had these little skin scabs on his underside in a few spots. I thought it was just from the breeder over-bathing it. He said he bathed his pups often?

Long story short, I've never heard of a dog having lice and now our Ghost is at the vet for an overnight stay. Anyone else go thru this? I'm so frustrated that I want to call the breeder, but I haven't yet. The veterinarian said that the breeder HAD to know.... but I don't know if he did or not. Now I'm cleaning every thing so that when Ghost comes home, he doesn't get them back.

I have searched and searched on the internet and everything I have read says that lice from dogs cannot be given to humans or vice versa. Well that's good news at least. SO HOW did Ghost GET them to begin with?!?!

Interesting and while I wish it wasn't you, I'm glad it's not me!

If Ghost is infested then he brought them from the breeder with him. Lice are short lived insects (according to what I've read, but even a few days would be entirely too much for me!) and, like fleas, lice lay eggs that are eventually going to hatch; from hatching through the life cycle to the next hatching is about three weeks so whatever external medication your vet recommends will have to cover those that are nits (immature lice), through adults (who are laying eggs), through those that will hatch from the eggs being laid now. If it's like the flea problem, you can't kill the eggs, you have to wait for them to hatch and kill the nits. This is similar to the cycle that we've all (??) gone though at times with fleas, yes.

Going back to the breeder, probably isn't going to result in anything but hard feelings (which you probably have already, but let's not exacerbate the problem). The breeder bathing his pups "often" was probably an attempt to control the pests, but without something that will kill them, they're still going to come back.

BTW, isn't Ghost a bit young for oral flea meds? Most recommend those for dogs who are, I think, six months old or older.

Yes, I agree with you on your sentiments! And I wish it wasn't me and Ghost EITHER that was having this issue!!!!

No it's safe to give Sentinel (for heartworms, fleas, etc) to a pup that is 4 weeks or older and is 2lbs or more. Ghost was 7 weeks old and weighed 9.5lbs when he took it last week. So he is fine. (we did not/do not give topical flea treatments) (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1460) here is a link to see some info on Sentinel too. This is how my dr. has always dosed my pets in the past. Same guidelines.

I told my husband to do what he wanted as far as contacting the breeder. He is a nice man, I don't think he intentionally sold us the pup KNOWING it had lice.... I could be wrong, but I hope I am not! It's not that we are "MAD" at him exactly. Just is very aggravating and I wish he would have investigated further into the dog issues if that is why he was bathing them.

Oh gosh, I'm sorry. I would probably be a fire-breathing dragon if I were in your shoes. Poor Ghost.

Anyway, I did a little bit of research and found this on dog lice and found these:

http://www.vet.bc.ca/lice.pml
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/caninelice.htm

^Here are the highlights:

"For those who do not want to use insecticides, lime-sulfur dips are extremely safe, non-toxic to pets (we used to use it on tiny kittens to treat ringworm) and very effective. They have the disadvantage of staining the coat yellow (temporarily) and having a somewhat objectionable odor (sulfur). They should be repeated weekly for 4-6 weeks.
5. Flea combs will help to remove both living and dead lice. Clean the comb afterward by immersing it in a container of water with some flea shampoo or other insecticide and letting it sit for at least 10 minutes, or until you don't get the heebie-jeebies touching it, whichever is longer."

"For pregnant dams, and puppies over six weeks old, Revolution is one of the most recommended preventatives, but always consult your vet first."

It might be something worth mentioning to the vet.

Thank you for that link! I will definitely be getting some Advantage for Ghost and I'm going to be proactive and get it for my little Pug as well.... they are not kept around each other but I am not taking any chances!!!!