What is a parasite?
A parasite is a living organism that lives on or inside another organism (the host), using it as a source of food and a habitat.
Some parasites live on the surface of the body — they are called ectoparasites (for example, ticks and fleas). Others live inside the body — these are endoparasites, which include intestinal worms and certain protozoa.
In this article, we will specifically discuss ectoparasites, as these are the ones dog owners encounter most often.
🕷 Brown dog tick
Despite its name, the brown dog tick does not exclusively parasitize dogs; it can also feed on the blood of other mammals.
This is the most common tick species in Israel, and it is responsible for transmitting the majority of tick-borne diseases in dogs.
A single tick by itself is rarely a serious danger, but a heavy infestation can cause anemia, especially in puppies and small dogs.
Far more dangerous are the infections that ticks can carry.
Ehrlichiosis
The most common tick-borne disease in dogs in Israel is ehrlichiosis.
The disease typically starts with a fever, lethargy, and a sharp drop in blood platelets.
If detected early, it can be successfully treated with a 3–4 week course of antibiotics.
However, there is one common mistake: sometimes owners stop treatment as soon as the symptoms disappear. As a result, the infection is not fully eradicated but instead goes into a latent phase. Months or even years later, the disease can return, causing severe clotting disorders and bleeding. At this stage, treatment is much less effective.
Babesiosis
Another tick-borne disease is babesiosis.
It usually has a milder clinical course than ehrlichiosis, but it requires a completely different treatment. Furthermore, some species of Babesia can infect humans, making this disease a zoonosis.
🐈 Fleas
The most widespread flea in Israel is the cat flea.
Despite its name, it thrives not only on cats but also on dogs, as well as on many other mammals.
Unlike a tick, a flea is an insect and has six legs, whereas ticks are arachnids and have eight.
In most dogs, fleas cause itching and discomfort. In severe infestations, especially in puppies, constant blood loss can lead to anemia.
Flea bite allergy
Many dogs develop an allergy to flea saliva. For such animals, just a few bites are enough to trigger a severe allergic reaction:
- intense itching;
- skin redness;
- hair loss;
- skin inflammation.
For these dogs, it is especially important to maintain continuous flea protection.
(You can read more about allergies and their types in our article "Canine Allergies: Why Is Your Dog Itching")
How to protect your dog?
Today there are several effective preventive options.
🧴 Shampoos
They help kill parasites already on the dog, but they hardly provide any long-term protection.
💨 Sprays
They work locally and can be useful when there is already an infestation, but their protective effect is short-lived.
💧 Spot-on treatments
These are applied to the skin and absorbed into the body. The parasite is not repelled but dies after biting.
Most products are effective for three weeks to one month.
💊 Tablets
At present, these are considered one of the most effective forms of protection. They do not repel ticks and fleas but quickly kill them after they bite.
Depending on the product, protection lasts from one to three months.
You can read about the different tablets and how they compare in the article "Bravecto, NexGard and Other Flea and Tick Treatments".
🦮 Collars
Modern antiparasitic collars have a repellent effect. The active ingredient applied to them is not absorbed into the body.
Which product is best?
There is no universal answer, because no single product provides 100% protection.
The choice depends on the dog's age, lifestyle, region of residence, and health status.
If a dog is prone to flea bite allergy or frequently walks in heavily tick-infested areas, a veterinarian may recommend combining several protection methods.
The main rule
It is much easier to prevent parasites than to treat the consequences of the diseases they transmit.
Regular, year-round prevention is one of the simplest ways to keep your dog healthy.
