I found a strange bug on my puppy. Could it be a dangerous parasite?

I'm not sure, but it's not a flea and it's not a tick. If thet seem to be biting Cody, you keep finding lots of them, or he's getting itchy, it would be worth saving one and giving a pest control service a call, but otherwise I'd recommend removing it and not worrying about it. Good luck and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Willow. Poor little girl, how lovely of you to pick her up from the side of the road. I wonder if that's a foreign body of some sort, like a pricker, but I can't be sure without seeing her in person. It doesn't look like a piece of bone. Do not try to pull it out, have her seen by a vet asap to get it checked out. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! i am so glad that Piccola is back to normal today. I recommend calling the 1-800 umber on the packaging. They have Veterinarians on staff that can answer all your questions for free. They can tell you if she even needs to be seen! My hope is that there is no long term effects. I hope this helps and I wish you and Piccola the best!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It’s hard to see the bug in your picture. It is likely fleas. I would start a flea medication. I like the oral ones like Nexgard, Simparica or Bravecto and I also like the Setesto collar which lasts 8 months. With these you can bathe him as well. With the topical medications you can’t bathe until 2 days after application. And personally I do not think they work as well. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to see the skin in your pictures but it looks like a rash or comedones. If the reddish black things on her skin flakes off or are loose, wet them on a white tissue. If they melt away to a red streak that is flea poop. Flea dips and shampoos are NOT preventatives for fleas and the fleas that hatch on the carpet will jump right back on the pet. Fleas do not lay eggs on the pet but on the carpet. Bed bugs do not live on animals. I recommend a flea preventative like oral Nexgard, Simparica, Bravecto or topical Advantix ii or the Seresto collar. If there are no live fleas or flea dirt then she likely has a secondary skin infection or rash from an allergic reaction the the fleas. I would have her seen by your Vet so she can be provided relief. Also it looks like she has a paw infection which could be from environmental or food allergies. Good luck!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! It appears that the pink target lesion is a black fly bite. If it is, it should fade in 3 days. It doesn't cause any pain and isn't anything to be worried about. If more areas pop up and he isn't outside then he should be seen by a Vet. https://www.vin.com/veterinarypartner/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102899&id=7986755 Have a great day!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Snikcers should be fine. I would be more worried if he came in contact with an area that was sprayed. We can't even be sure that this particular bug even contacted the chemical. To be safe you can always rinse his mouth out well with water and wash his face. Have a great day!