Lake Havasu City would like to remind pet owners to please leave their pets at home if they are actively treating them for flees, lice, or kennel cough, they should not be visiting the dog parks, or interacting with other dogs until they are feeling better.  

Gabby Vera, Parks and Recreation Director for Lake Havasu City,  says rumors about a potential outbreak of dog lice at various locations where dogs congregate, including dog parks, went through social media recently, but some of the information is unsubstantiated. “To date, there have been no reports of dog lice in our City dog parks,” said Vera. “We encourage pet owners to seek diagnosis, treatment and preventative measures from a veterinarian.”

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

According to the Western Arizona Humane Society (WAHS), the best way to prevent the spread of lice is to seek professional treatment and preventative measures from a veterinarian as soon as possible, and leave your pets at home while they are sick, or being treated. It is equally just as important to not only treat your pet, but also their environment including their bedding, carpets, clothing, furniture, crates, and toys to make sure lice is not reintroduced to your pets. 

“It is always recommended that our pets remain on flea and tick preventatives to ensure the health of our pets from an external parasite aspect. Although off label, these preventatives have proven to be an effective treatment against lice as well. Routine bathing of our pets 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 any change in your pet’s coat or recent itching, I recommend an appointment with your veterinarian. At WAHS, we are happy to report we have not experienced any lice outbreaks in our facility. In the most of this community event, we continue to be diligent in our high population facility of pets to ensure all pets adopted will be healthy and parasite free.”

Pets are a part of our families, please keep them and our neighbor’s pets healthy by seeking treatment right away from a veterinarian, and leaving them at home when they are under the weather.

Community Engagement Officer: Jerri Bracamonte