The City of Lake Havasu would like to remind pet owners to please keep their pets home if they are actively treating them for fleas, lice, or kennel cough, and not visit dog parks or interact with other dogs until they are better.

Gabby Vera, director of Lake Havasu City’s parks and recreation department, says rumors have been circulating on social media recently about a possible outbreak of dog lice in various places where dogs congregate, including dog parks, but some of the information is unconfirmed. “To date, there have been no reports of dog lice in our city dog ​​parks,” Vera said. “We recommend that pet owners seek diagnosis, treatment and preventative measures from a veterinarian.”

According to a recent article from the American Kennel Club on August 2, 2024, lice are limited in mobility and require a host to survive. They cannot survive in grass or an inanimate object for more than a short period of time. They can crawl, but cannot jump, hop, or fly. Transmission usually occurs through direct contact with another infested animal in places where dogs congregate, such as daycares, kennels, and parks. However, they can also be transmitted through contaminated bedding, dog collars, or grooming equipment.

According to the Western Arizona Humane Society (WAHS), the best way to prevent the spread of lice is to see a veterinarian as soon as possible and take preventative measures. Keep your pets at home while they are sick or being treated. It is equally important to treat not only your pet, but also their environment, including bedding, carpets, clothing, furniture, crates and toys, to ensure lice do not get back on your pet.

“It is always recommended that we continue to treat our pets with flea and tick preventatives to protect their health from external parasites. Although these preventatives are not approved, they have also been shown to be effective treatments against lice. Regularly bathing and raising our pets in clean environments is the best way to prevent flea, tick or lice infestations,” said WAHS Veterinarian Dr. Solano Maya. “If you notice a change in your pet’s coat or recent itching, I recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian. At WAHS, we are happy to report that we have not experienced any lice outbreaks at our facility. Throughout most of this community event, we continue to be diligent at our high-animal population facility to ensure that all adopted pets are healthy and free of parasites.”

Pets are part of our family. Please keep them and our neighbors’ pets healthy by taking them to a veterinarian immediately and keeping them at home if they are not well.

Citizen Participation Officer: Jerri Bracamonte (928) 854.0801