In short, yes, parasites cause scooting but scooting is an anal sac disease. First it’s important to understand what scooting is in detail. This is dragging the anus around the ground surface with hind limbs in an extended state. Parasites cause irritation around the anus and lead to such actions.
However, you should not be under the impression that only parasites cause scooting in dogs. There are many reasons that the dog may be scooting. For example, anal gland infections, tumors and other injuries near the anal region also may lead to dragging and scooting.
Fleas
Flea bite allergy often causes irritation, so the dog may try to bite the anal area from fleas and then irritations arise from scratches. It leads to dragging the anus to the ground and then scooting.
Tapeworms
Cestodiasis in dogs is a condition caused by tapeworms. If the animal is not treated in time, scooting begins. Tapeworm segments passed in the stool create crawling sensations near the anus which annoy dogs and lead to scooting.
Such crawling activities of the tapeworm segments lead to severe itching at these lower regions. Hence, to get a relief from this type of constant irritation, the dog starts pressing the anus region on the ground first and then tries to drag it on the ground with typical extension of rear limbs.
Usually there is a packet of eggs when the fecal sample is examined by microscope. The flotation technique used to examine feces leads to breakage of these packets. They burst and so diagnosis is difficult. Scooting dogs need to be examined further to rule out tapeworms which look like rice.
These rice-like segments are white in color but turn yellow when taken from the body. Tapeworms themselves may be seen in motion near the anus and otherwise below the tail. Consult with your veterinarian to begin specific cures for this.