Demodecosis in dogs - the main signs and treatment

Demodecosis is caused by endoparasitic mites of the suborder of the demodacia Trombidiformes of the genus Demodex. As a rule, the disease manifests itself in the form of hyperkeratosis, dermatitis and progressive cachexia. Demodecosis in dogs causes the causative agent Demodex canis. The most susceptible are such breeds of dogs: boxers, toy terriers, dwarf pinschers, Eastern European shepherds. Record demodicosis in dogs more often at the age of 6 months. Up to two years.

This parasitic disease can hurt people. The most susceptible to the disease are young, fair-haired women. There are also factors that contribute to the development of demodicosis - stress of different etiology, emotional imbalance, aggression. Demodecosis in cats is caused by D. cati and D. gatoi.

The mites of the genus Demodex are very similar in morphology to each other. They have a spindle-shaped body. The color of mature individuals is light gray. In mites, sexual dimorphism manifests itself (females exceed the size of males). Females lay eggs, within four to six days, a larva emerges from them, which undergoes a number of transformations, and a mature parasite (imago) is formed in a month.

Pathogens are localized in the hair follicles, as well as in the sebaceous glands, where they form huge colonies. It should be said that these mites can not live long outside the body of the host (up to 10 days). Sometimes in animals with a diagnosis of demodicosis in dogs parasitic ticks are found in the walls of the intestine, lymph nodes, liver parenchyma, kidneys and spleen.

Demodecosis in dogs: symptoms.

The disease passes in a mild (scaly) and severe (pustular) forms. In the initial stages of development of demodectic mites settle in the skin of the superciliary arches, cheeks, lips, neck, and then in other parts of the body. Pathogens develop intensively and multiply in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. In this demodex can cause atrophy of the sebaceous glands, which leads to a violation of the basic functions of the skin. In the body of the animal, a significant part of the products of the life of the mites accumulates. In this case, the products of metabolism contribute to the development of microflora. A characteristic sign of demodex life is loss of hair, hyperemia of the skin, which eventually thickens, becomes covered with scales, often crackles and the surface is exposed by the syphilis. Itching of the skin is weakly expressed. The manifestation of clinical symptoms contributes to a decrease in the immunity of the animal's body.

The pustular form is characterized by the formation of tubercles, which contain products of inflammation, a second microflora, and, of course, mites. Demodecosis in dogs in this case is manifested as a reddening of the skin. Animals die from exhaustion and sepsis.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical symptoms. An additional method is a microscopic examination of the contents of the tubercle. For this, the specialist takes scrapes from damaged skin areas, and also conducts research on hairs. It takes no more than twenty minutes to establish a diagnosis.

Treatment is performed only after diagnosis. Animals with a generalized form of the disease are offered to sterilize.

The effectiveness of treatment, as a rule, depends on the stage of demodecosis development. The treatment regimen for demodicosis depends on the clinical signs and the form of the disease. Antiparasitic (baamek, ivomek with the active principle of ivermectin, chlorhexidine, amitase, cidectin, milbemycin, metaflumizone, amitraz, triatox) and antiallergic agents are used for treatment. The period of demodicosis treatment is about a year. When the process is complicated by a bacterial infection, antibiotic therapy (convulsions, amoxiclav, sinulox) is performed.