Demodicosis in dogs is not necessarily bad if it is taken care of in time. Perseverance, patience and careful monitoring of the prescription from your veterinarian will be the keys to overcoming the illness.
What is Dog demodicosis?
Demodicosis (demodectic mange) is a skin disease affecting dogs, which is due to an infection of hair follicles by a parasite. This parasite is a microscopic mite called Demodex canis. Most cases occur with puppies whom have caught it from their mother, or with olds dogs in which their immune system is compromised. Certain breeds are predisposed to this disease, such as the Shar-pei, Beagle, Boxer, Westie, Scottish Terrier, Dachshund, Chow Chow, Collie, Dalmatian, German Mastiff, German Shepherd and Weimaraner.
Symptoms of Demodicosis in Dogs
Skin lesions during primary demodicosis are often shown as circumscribed hair loss. There is also often dog dandruff. Sometimes demodicosis is complicated by the appearance of a secondary bacterial infection of the skin or significant dermal inflammation.
Types of demodectic mange in dogs
There is Demodicosis dry which divides itself into a localized form of dry skin legions, often followed by further hair loss and a nasty smell. There is often less itching with this version.
There is infected Demodicosis which is the severe form and occurs when dry demodicosis is complicated by a bacterial skin infection. The skin becomes covered with oozing and crusting scabs, followed by severe itching and hyperkeratosis.
Diagnosis of Demodicosis in Dogs
This is pretty simple as all it takes is a few skin scrapings from the lesions. This involves taking a little skin by scraping the hair follicles with a scalpel blade. The scraping is then placed under microscopic observation to look for the parasite. The parasite is also visible on skin biopsies, which is often the case when a tumour is also suspected.
The treatment of Dog Demodicosis can be achieved in various ways.
To completely get rid of the parasite then the dog must be given medication to counter the Demodex mites. An oral medication is usually highly recommended. It is also very advisable to give the dog an acaricides bath or dip. The baths should be given once every two weeks until recovery. It is also recommended to wear gloves during application.
There are commercials “ons” (pipette application) treatments that may help too. These are more often know for fleas and ticks, but there are ones for mange too. They are easier to administer but may not be as affective as many other treatments.
Whatever the type of treatment is performed, the length of treatment is still very long. It takes between 2 and 4 months on average to complete the healing process. In addition to regular weekly scrapings, the dog should also have regular checks made within months after discontinuation of therapy to verify that healing is complete and unlikely that infection is unlikely to reoccur.
Treating your dog with additional natural remedies may also help to speed up the healing process. Ask advice from your vet before administering any other types of remedy first. Healing is going to be a long process, so treat the dog as soon as you gain confirmation from your vest, so that then the illness will not be as drawn out and long.
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