I hate parasites too. When my big dog was a puppy he got a bunch of deer ticks on him. I still wonder it that is why he has such bad problems with itchy skin and hot spots.
UGH - poor baby! I just told my bf yesterday that I need to order flea & tick med. for the spring. We're in the middle of a forest and the ticks just hang around waiting for us to come by. Last year, "they" were out while we were mushroom hunting, looking for a free meal.
The ticks are the worst part of living in WI. My dog was diagnosed with Lyme disease as well as anaplasmosis last summer. I had Lyme disease in the fall and my husband has had it. I know someone who has a pacemaker now because it went undetected for too long. It's really scary stuff.