Introduction to the Water
Whether your pup is headed to the duck blind or you just want to teach him to swim for fun and exercise the techniques are the same.
Dogs are land mammals and are not born knowing how to swim. Occasionally a young dog will wade right in and go, but most need a gentle introduction and some encouragement to swim.
When the weather and water are warm, I start my pups on the water as soon as I bring them home from the breeder. The introductory lessons are the same for pups and grown dogs.
The main point to remember when introducing a pup to the water is don’t push or rush him. Give the pup a reason to want to swim - to retrieve, to follow you, or to chase another dog, and then allow him to choose to swim.
Once the pup knows he can swim, be sure to supply sufficient practice so he can learn to swim well. Much later in training you can work on force fetch and obedience to commands on the water.
Never throw or force into the water a dog that does not know how to swim. If you rush him he may panic. Once your pup is afraid of the water your job will be much harder.
Learning to Swim
The best set-up for getting your pup started swimming is warm water, a warm day, and a bottom that drops off gradually. You can wade in and walk or play with other dogs and allow your pup to follow. If you have a shallow stream, a long walk on a hot day is good. Your dog will enjoy the trip and sooner or later he will find himself in over his shoulders and swimming.
If your pup likes to retrieve, throw bumpers where he can still keep his feet on the bottom and retrieve. As he gains confidence gradually throw a bumper farther out - at some point he will have to swim to get it.
Sometimes I wade in holding the pup and have my wife or helper stand a short distance away in the water. Gently lower the pup into the water and face him toward my wife. She calls him and I let him go to swim a short distance to her. When he gets there my wife picks him up and makes a big fuss over him before turning him to face me and sending him back. As he gains confidence we back away from each other so he must swim farther each time.
One of my training ponds has a small island 50 feet long and 20 feet wide. This island is only 60 feet from the nearest shore. Big dogs can walk most of the way across but must swim a bit in the middle to get to shore. With an older pup I have waded out to the island carrying a reluctant swimmer. I set them on the shore and wade off to stand some short distance away in the water. No pup has stayed on the island long.
Stages
When they begin to swim most dogs will swim with the front end only. This results in a head-up, splashing stroke that is not very effective or efficient. This “puppy splashing” is common. With more experience a pup will engage his rear end and level out and swim.
Typically a new swimmer will start by splashing his way out and back to retrieve his bumper or ball. At some point you’ll observe that he splashes out to retrieve but swims on the return.
Once they begin to swim well on the return, it’s just a short time until most dogs begin to swim on the way out, too.
Some pups will go through these stages in one day, some in a week. Most dogs introduced to the water after six months of age take a little longer to work through these stages. Over the years I have had a few dogs that splashed for eight or 10 weeks before they swam well. With time, even the most determined splashers eventually learned to dig in and swim.
A final caution: be very careful about training on cold water. Cold water can be very uncomfortable and once your dog learns he doesn’t like cold water he may be reluctant to enter even warm water. Some trainers say the minimum water temperature for training grown dogs is 56 degrees, but for pups I want it at least 60 degrees, with warm air temperatures as well.
Have fun and enjoy your pup’s new water skills,
Pat Nolan

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Dog Parks. What a great idea! Imagine being able to take your buddy to a big, open field and letting him or her safely play and run around with dozens of other dogs. What a great way to provide exercise, especially for those rambunctious, high-energy teenagers that often become destructive and “self-employed” at home when they have nothing else to do. How many of us have come home to torn sofa cushions, shredded plants, neighbors complaining about incessant barking, etc.?
Dog parks can provide a wonderful opportunity for your dog to learn appropriate dog-to-dog behavior with dogs of all ages, sizes and temperaments. In addition to all these benefits, dog parks often offer us humans a chance to get out of the house and spend some time socializing and meeting new friends.
Most people who take their dogs to dog parks are respectful, polite, responsible, and look out not only for their own dog, but for other people’s dogs as well. After all, if one dog gets hurt, everyone is affected. And most dog parks are well maintained, clean and safe. With so many benefits to taking your dog to a dog park, are there any disadvantages?
Not a month goes by that I don’t hear from one of my clients that his dog or his neighbor’s dog was hurt at a dog park. And in 99% of the cases, it all had to do with the attitude of the human. A well-known actor (this is L.A. after-all) brought two of his dogs to a park and as soon as the dogs entered, they zeroed in on a Lab who was resting underneath a picnic table. Within seconds, cries and growls filled the air. People rushed to help the Lab who sustained multiple puncture wounds. When the actor finally arrived at the scene, he simply declared, “Hey, dogs are dogs, they were only playing.”
On another occasion, a woman came directly from a rescue with her new 80 lb dog and wanted to see how he would behave around other dogs. The dog attacked a small, blind Pekinese and caused several thousands of dollars in medical care.
In other cases, dogs are hurt because of how they play: some dogs are much more physical than others, resulting in unintentional injuries. Others never learned appropriate dog etiquette because of the lack of proper socialization when they were young. As a result, their pushy behavior often results in misunderstandings that trigger fights.
In addition, not every dog likes to visit dog parks. Older dogs sometimes care less about being around other dogs and are perfectly content interacting only with their humans. Well-intentioned as some people are, they can facilitate problems because they fail to read their dog’s body language, which is telling them, “Get me out of here!”
So what should you look for? Visit a park before you bring your dog. Talk to people. Safe parks all have one thing in common: a good park is one where people will not put up with aggressive dogs and they look out for one another. Make sure there is a separate area for small dogs. How clean is the park? Is water available? If you find yourself stepping over mounds of feces, it’s a good bet that park isn’t for you and your dog. See if the park has a ranger that oversees activities. This is rare but really says a lot about safety.
Once you’ve chosen a dog park, don’t bring food or your dog’s favorite toys as that often causes problems. Notice how other dogs are behaving and if play becomes to rowdy, interrupt it before a problem arises. If your dog seems fearful, leave the park.
Know your dog. If your dog displays aggression or fearfulness, don’t take your dog to a dog park. You can work on behavioral problems with a trainer but in the meantime, you can take your dog for walks or jogs, play fetch, hide-and-go seek and “find-it.”
There are wonderful dog parks out there that benefit both people and dogs. To find them, do a little investigation, use your good common sense, be responsible and keep a watchful eye. You and your dog can have a lot of fun!

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Many times cat owners are at a loss as to why their cat doesn’t use their litter box. Here are some great tips that can help you solve the problem.
The litter box is the first thing you should check. It should be in a quiet, private area of the house. Many people put them in their basements and leave the door open a little as this not only creates a private environment but also keeps odors to a minimum in the rest of the house.
Some use a closet but if you do this be sure and keep the box clean to reduce odors in such a confined space and don’t forget to leave the door open!
Another placement possibility is under a table. Many people find a place without carpeting is best from a maintenance point of view as tile or cement is a lot easier to clean.
Ask yourself if you changed the litter box in any way:

Has the box been moved to a high traffic area recently?
Does the box need cleaning?
Is a new litter being used or does it have too heavy a scent (clumping and unscented is best).
Has the depth of the litter in the box changed? Some cats like their litter deep, others shallow.
Your cat has outgrown the box and needs a larger one.
The box is too hard to enter and exit. This can be an issue for older cats.

Do not put food and water near the litter box. Cats like these two areas kept separate (don’t you?).
If your cat has picked out a particular room to soil try closing the door to that room if you can or cover the target area with furniture.
Put a bowl of food over the target area as cats like to keep their eating area away from their “bathroom”.
Take your cat to the Vet on a regular basis.
If you have more than one cat get each one of them their own litter box.
Have you recently moved? A cat might smell an area where the previous owner’s cat urinated.
Let the cat alone while it goes so it can have some privacy.
If it is a new cat in your home it could take from three to eight weeks to get adjusted to the new environment. Be patient!
Was there a recent addition or loss to the family? A new baby, spouse? This is usually temporary until the cat adjusts to the change in their environment.
A change in your schedule can throw off your cat’s schedule as well and cause problems. Try and phase in major lifestyle changes gradually.
NEVER EVER punish the cat by kicking, hitting, chasing, screaming or rubbing their nose in their urine (remember the smell doesn’t bother them). Cats cannot make the cause and effect connection like we can so punishment after the fact is useless and will only make matters worse.
Cats are naturally very clean animals and they know where they are going. It is important to remember this and try and help your cat overcome any stress or anxiety they might be having in a caring and loving manner.
Visit www-cat-urine-remover.com for more great advice on preventing cat urine problems and cleaning tips.

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Here’s a short list of dog training tips us humans should always bear in mind. I’ve decided to mention these because, I believe, they are the most important.
To be honest with you this list has more to do with teaching ourselves how to communicate with our dogs, than it does with dog training tips. Because, when it comes to dog training, we too need to be taught in a sense.
We as human beings need to learn how our “best friends from the animal kingdom” think. If we send our dogs confusing signals when training, we won’t get the positive results we’re aiming for.
Perhaps I should have called this article, “human training tips” instead. Oh well, let us begin:
1.) When ever you’re feeling a little cranky, you might want to put off training your dog till a later time. If you’re not enjoying your training session, most likely your dog won’t enjoy it either. So for take-away dog training tips number one I would say, “If you’re in a bad mood, don’t do it, you’ll only make things harder on yourself and the poor mutt.”
2.) You want to make each training session as much fun for “Fido” or “Fluffy” as possible. That way, in the future, your dog will respond with alacrity to your commands rather than fearful obedience. Take-away dog training tips number two: “For crying out loud, stop scaring the dog and have fun!”
3.) Never spend too much time training your dog. Usually fifteen to twenty minutes a day will be sufficient for your dog to learn. Take-away dog training tips number three: “Take it easy, no need to over do it.”
4.) Always praise your dog when your training sessions come to an end. That way your dog will know that you are pleased with its progress. Take-way dog training tips number four: “Don’t worry about your dog getting a big head. Dogs don’t have egos.” ( Yeah, I know. I don’t know your dog, right? )
5.) Whether training or not, always reward your dogs good behavior with praise and maybe a treat. Take-away dog training tips number Five: “Read tip number six.”
6.) Not to many treats though, or you won’t have a dog anymore! Take-away dog training tips number six: “Don’t over do the doggy biscuits.”
7.) Don’t punish your dog when it behaves badly during training. Try to correct it. If it doesn’t do well, or is confused with a new command, resort back to one it knows. That way you can praise your dog and try again later. Take-away dog training tips number seven: “Lighten up! If your not perfect, neither is the pooch.”
8.) If you become angry at your dog during training, resort back to tip number one.
Remember, you want to make training as fun as possible, for you and your dog, not a chore. Take-away dog training tips number eight: “This one speaks for itself.”
I decided to keep this one short and sweet so you could take-away something to chew on. Us humans can only take-away so many dog training tips, right?
http://dog–training–tips.blogspot.com

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Dogs are considered as man’s best friend. If one decides to get a dog for a pet, one can choose either a specific breed otherwise known as pure bred or choose one that is if a mixed breed or a mutt. There is a not that much difference between dogs that are pure or mixed. One simply came from parents of the same breed while the other came from a family of two different breeds.
Choosing a dog depends on many things. The size of one’s home, how much exercise is needed, does it shed often or if one wants a gentle or playful companion.
Deciding to own one whether it is big or small involves a lot of responsibility. It is not just about feeding it but includes other chores such as grooming, watching its health and diet, cleaning up after it and most importantly, giving it some tender loving care. There are many places one can get a dog such as a kennel or the pet store but if one wants to get a pure bred animal, one must seek a reputable breeder to get the best results.
Breeding done in pure bred dogs is done carefully. The pair is tested for every possible disease which includes having all the information regarding the pair’s ancestors and health records on file. Should there be no problem in the history of the pair, then the breeding can begin. If in testing, the pair is not compatible due to diseases that are common in a specific breed, another dog will be selected to match with the other dog.
Since the demand for the breeder’s pure bred dogs are well sought after due to the selective nature of the breeding practices, the newborn pups will still have to be raised with the breeder and will only be released when a number of pre-screened homes have been found. This is done for the welfare of the select few of owners and to control population growth.
Reputable breeders have certain requirements that one must have before qualifying as a potential dog owner. These are usually in the form of written contracts or guarantees with a spay or neuter requirement that limits the registration of the puppies. The person who wants a dog must also have a secured backyard and attend certain classes such a puppy kindergarten to be familiar with the challenges one will face come the time the dog has been given. This shows that pure bred dogs are well taken cared off from pregnancy till after birth.
Mixed breeds on the other hand or mutts as people call them could have been done out of experimentation to produce a breed which could be better and stronger than the two breeds. Most likely, these were the results of accidents. This is the reason why dogs of mixed breeds just like pure breds must be neutered since millions of dogs every year that are not wanted by people die in animal shelters.
Health wise, pure bred dogs that come from a line of strong parents won’t have problems. This is because breeders screen the pair before the process happens. There have been instances that certain breeders especially those dealing with pure breds do not practice the strict guidelines of proper breeding which produces inferior dogs and do this because these people are more concerned about financial gain rather than the welfare of the animal.
Mixed bred dogs on the other hand will fall somewhere in the middle since proper screening was poorly done or never carried out. Certain dogs carry varied deficiencies common to the breed and mixing the two will just pass on to the mixed breed.
Some people prefer pure bred dogs than mixed bred ones. The primary reason is that it is easier to sell and carries a certain prestige with it. Mixed bred dogs are seen as inferior and since no one is interested, most of these are rounded up and die in an animal shelter.
Pure bred dogs are seen as a higher class which is why they are always featured at dog shows. Mixed dogs due to certain rules are not allowed to join. The reasoning given has not been that clear which is why it is still being contested by mixed breed owners.

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Are you frustrated with your dog?
Does he chew everything in sight? Does he leave puddles and piles everywhere? Is a car ride with your dog synonym of a nightmare?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, I have a simple solution for you: crate training.
Here are 5 big reasons why you should start crate training your dog:
Reason #1: A Crate Stops Destructive Behaviors
Most dogs are destructive because they don’t have anything more interesting to do than chew on everything they can sink their teeth in.
You have to remember that chewing is a natural dog behavior and an excellent way for your dog to burn his excess of energy.
Consequently, your job is not to stop your dog from chewing, but to prevent him from chewing on the wrong things, like chair legs, shoes, socks, etc.
By providing safe chew toys to your dog in his crate, you accomplish two things: you make the crate a wonderful place to be in and you teach him what are the acceptable chew toys in the house.
By the way, my favorite chew toys are the ones I can fill with cream cheese or peanut butter. They keep my dogs busy for a while and my dogs just go crazy for them.
Reason #2: A Crate Makes Housebreaking Easier
A crate will help your dog to control his sphincters. In other words, your dog will learn to “hold it” instead of eliminating whenever he needs to.
Dogs are den animals. What I mean by that is that they like to have their own quiet place and they’ll do everything they can to keep it clean.
That’s why crate training a puppy drastically speeds up the housebreaking process. Your dog won’t want to soil his crate and thus will gain control over his sphincters.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can leave your dog in a crate for 10 hours in a row! Puppies need to go out frequently to eliminate.
If you leave your dog in his crate for too long and he ends up eliminating in the crate, you will lose the best tool at your disposal to housebreak him properly.
Reason #3: A Crate Makes Car Rides Safer
My heart stops every time I see a dog with his head out of a window or in the back of a truck.
This is a very dangerous practice since a rock, a bee, a cigarette butt, etc. can hit your dog.
Another behavior that I see very often is the dog that constantly jumps back and forth from one seat to the next or sits on the driver’s lap.
Driving requires all our attention and your dog shouldn’t be an additional distraction.
A crate-trained dog will rest in his crate during a car drive and make the trip for you and him safer.
Reason #4: A Crate Keeps Your Dog Safe from Household Hazards
If you let your dog roams freely in the house unsupervised, you are really asking for trouble and you unnecessarily put your dog in danger.
A house contains hundreds of potentially lethal objects for your dog. Let me give you some examples:
Do you know that chocolate and onions can make your dog very sick and if ingested in great quantity can kill your dog?
Garbage is also dangerous to your dog since he can choke on chicken bones, cut himself on broken glass, etc.
Also, lots of houseplants are poisonous for your dog, like Poinsettia, Aloe, and Peace Lily to name a few.
As you can see, crate training your dog will bring you peace of mind since your dog will be out of danger when you’re not around to supervise him.
Reason #5: A Crate Speeds Up Your Dog’s Recovery
If you have to leave your dog at the vet for a couple of nights, your dog will recover much faster because he will be used to sleeping in a crate.
Consequently, if your dog has never been in a crate before and you add that stress to the one of being in a new place, being manipulated by strangers and hearing other unfamiliar dogs and cats around, the whole experience will be unduly stressful for your dog.
By simply crate training your dog, you give him the tools to cope with any situation.
Do yourself and your dog a favor and start crate training him today!

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Parrots make wonderful family pets because they are great companions, they are beautiful birds with colorful feathers and you can teach them to talk. But you must have a strong level of commitment to your parrot because he will need daily and weekly maintenance, as well as plenty of attention.
What a Parrot Needs
When you consider how to take care of you parrot, you will have to consider what you will need to get started. The first thing you will need is a large cage for your parrot to live in. Make sure it is big enough for him to move around a bit and be comfortable. To occupy his time and make him feel comfortable you should place a mirror, a swing and a toy in the cage. You will also need something to properly line the cage.
What To Feed Your Parrot
A parrot should have a healthy, well-balanced diet. It should consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat and grains. Peanut butter and cooked eggs are other sources of protein that are good for parrots. Pre-packaged parrot food is certainly another valid option. It takes the guesswork out of feeding your bird a wide variety of balanced nutrition.
As with most pets, avoid feeding your parrot caffeine, alcohol, chocolate and salty foods.
Teaching Your Parrot To Talk
One of the most attractive features of this type of bird is that you can teach them to talk and whistle. Most people get a lot of enjoyment out of it. It does require a lot of time and repetition though and training should begin when the parrot is young. New words should be introduced with an activity so the parrot can link the two. He may even pick up on words you don’t really want him to learn just because he hears them often.
Whistling may come more natural for the birds and may be encouraged after you have trained him to talk.
Provide Exercise
Your parrot will need to get daily exercise. Let him out of the cage for small amount of time, starting with fifteen minutes at a time. Let them fly around the house and tire themselves out. See a professional for wing clippings when necessary.
Beak Care
Never try to trim your parrot’s beak at home. Seek a professional’s help when needed. Some things you can do at home to help your bird with beak care is to provide a concrete perch or a cuttle bone for him.
Maintenance
The basic things you need to commit to for taking care of your bird are quite simple, but they do require some effort on the owner’s part. In addition to never leaving his food bowl empty, you will need to provide him with fresh water twice a day. You will need to clean his cage on a weekly basis. You will also need to groom him 2-3 times per week. This can include a full bath given in a sink or washtub or by simply misting the bird and using specialized bird shampoo on him.
When all the work is done, you will have a beautiful pet that will provide hours of entertainment and joy.

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Dogs are a major American pet status. Every year billions of dollars are spent on dog items, dog health, comfort, and entertainment. There are even stories out there of owners that have put their health care second to their dog’s health care…
In today’s world some couples have opted not to have children but have taken on the responsibility of a pet as a surrogate child. A few years ago, pets weren’t as important to their owners as they are now, People now think of them as children. They dress them up: celebrate their birthdays; all these things indicate how elevated a place our animals take in our lives.
Older people are living longer and may; have lost their life mate but they have the companionship and entertainment of a dog or cat.
Pets can be quite entertaining as I can attest to. One summer in Montana where we have no TV, we spent untold hours watching our dogs roll a ball that dispensed food. Not lonely was the toy a source of food and entertainment, but exercise. Our dogs were constantly on the move trying to get their goodies.
Dogs are being used for the eyes and ears of their owner and now also for sniffing out cancer. Some dogs are used with law enforcement and go home with the officer to be part of their family. Search and rescue dogs live with their handlers and love going places and having people talk to them and pet them. In some situations, dog owners who take their dogs on the water are opting for wet suits that help keep the dog afloat as well as protecting from hypothermia.
So it stands “Dog is Mans Best Friend” and we humans are willing to spend millions, to protect, dress and entertain them.

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There are over a hundred registered breed of dogs. Recognizing the type of the dog is basically associated with its breed. A purebred animal belongs to a documented and acknowledged group of unmixed lineage. Before a breed of dog is recognized, it must be proved that mating two adult dogs of the same type would have passed on their exact characteristics, both appearance and behavior, to their offspring.
If thinking of adopting or buying a pet dog for yourself, it is important to know which type of dog you want. Here are a few popular dog breeds for your easy reference:
Labrador
Labradors are very outgoing dogs that have yellow, black or brown furs. Labrador are versatile dogs that has a wide rang of functions. Most of them are known to retrievers and are utilized as guide dogs for the blind. They enjoy holding different objects in their mouth and are prone to chewing things. Labradors are observed to be hypersensitive and have a high regard for their territory. Their furs are observed to water repellant thus making them perfect for waterfowl hunting. They are excellent as family dog.
German Shepherds
Germans shepherds are also known as Alsatian. Originally, they are intended to be aide for a farmer in herding their sheep or cattle. They are incredibly intelligent and very trainable. Because of their built they are often used as working dogs in the military or police community. Most of them are also guide dogs. German shepherds are large and strong dogs with varied fur colors. Most comes in cream, tank, white or black.
Boxer
Boxers have pointed ears that are tilted forward. They have a distinguishable white underbelly and white parts at the tip of each foot. These white regions are often called as ‘flashiness’ which sometimes extend to other parts of the body. These usually appear on the shoulders and face. Boxers are playful and energetic breed. They are perfect as a pet for children because they have an extended puppy hood, meaning they are not considered as an adult dog until they reach the age of three. Training would not be a problem. Boxers are known to be obedient and possess a strong personality. It is advisable to train a boxer at an early age. They can sometimes be a substitute as guide dogs or police dogs.
Rotweiller
Rotweillers’ origin traced back on ancient times. Their existence has been associated with the Roman Empire as watchers for groups of cattle. Since then, their incredible strength and intelligence has been recognized. They are utilized as police dogs and military aides during wars. Rotweillers are black tan spots on its cheeks, legs, chest and face. You should definitely find one too underneath their tails. They are marked with upside down triangles can be found on the chest area. Their eyebrows have a unique spot on each one. Rotweillers are intelligent and fearless dogs. You can notice their foreheads getting a little wrinkly when they are alert. Rotties are very active and playful and are fast on learning tricks.
Poodle
Poodles can be a very good companion and are very loyal to their owners. They belong to a quiet breed of dogs that has a naturally curly fur. Their color ranges from black, grey, white, blue, apricot or brown. Training a poodle trend to require more effort compared to other breed. They are considered as a hypoallergenic breed. They are very famous for their very nice coats. Maintenance proved to be a tedious job. Owners have to keep their hair in a manageable length so that matting and tangling would be prevented.
Labrador
Labradors are very outgoing dogs that are yellow, black or brown in colors. Labrador are versatile dogs that has a wide rang of functions. Most of them are known to retrievers and are utilized as guide dogs for the blind. They enjoy holding different objects in their mouth and are prone to chewing things. Labradors are observed to be hypersensitive and have a high regard for their territory. Their furs are proved to be water repellant thus making them perfect for waterfowl hunting. They tend to be mellow and are excellent as a family dog.
German Shepherds
Germans shepherds are also known as Alsatian. Originally, they are intended to be aide for a farmer in herding their sheep or cattle. They are incredibly intelligent and very trainable. Because of their built they are often used as working dogs in the military or police community. Most of them are also guide dogs. German shepherds are large and strong dogs with varied fur colors. Most comes in cream, tank, white or black.
Dachshund
Dachshunds are also referred to as sausage dogs because of their elongated built. They have short legs and pointed facial framework. Chasing and hunting are their favorite past times. Most dachshunds have crooked legs and chest compared to a barrel. Dachshunds are playful and loyal dogs that loves to chase small animals like birds. Their senses are very keen and well-developed though they often exhibit shyness.
Beagle
Beagles have acquired a strong sense of smell. Because of such quality they are used for hunting animals like rabbits. They have big ears that are low- set giving them that gentle look. Their furs are commonly white, black, brown or a combination of both. Beagles are known to be very good tempered. Training might prove to be a trick task because these dogs are strong willed that made them quite stubborn. Beagles travel in pack, being a pet dog might cause them to have anxiety.
Above is a simple overview of popular breed of dogs. In choosing a dog for you better consider each breeds’ physical appearance, temperament and health issues. Of course, each dog should fit your lifestyle. Remember dogs should be given proper attention and care but in exchange you can have the best companion ever.

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While parasites of various types are often responsible for fish rubbing themselves against objects in the tank, sometimes to the point of causing raw skin, it can be difficult to identify which parasite it is, unless you have a very good visual of it.
In the case of skin fluke, which is a parasitic flatworm, they are unlikely to show themselves to the extent where you would be able to remove them manually as you can with leeches or fish lice. One of the common denominators they have with other parasite infections, is they can cause redness of skin, but so can rubbing against stones and wood. However, skin fluke also causes a fading of color, and because the treatment is common to other types of parasites, you are best to go with a general medication, such as Droncit or formalin baths, when unsure whether it is skin fluke or not. Remove severely affected fish to a hospital tank.
The standard treatments of adding 1 tbs. of aquarium salt to a daily change of water in the home aquarium, and raising the tank temperature by four degrees also applies. This is used for most parasites, including gill fluke, which has more obvious and visual symptoms.
Gill fluke is a worm that specifically attacks the gill membranes, causing them to turn red and acquire a coating of slime that makes it difficult to breathe. Fish will hang at the water’s surface, gasp, and lose weight rapidly. The same tank treatments as skin fluke can be used, but with gill fluke, removing to a hospital tank and adding short baths in either formalin, salt or ammonium hydroxide to the regimen will help kill what is on the fish, and you can then treat their environment.

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