Demodicosis in dogs - causes and causative agent, how to cure with tablets, shampoos and ointments

The skin of dogs, unlike human skin, is much more delicate and sensitive, which means that it can react to almost any influence. Even a small insect bite in pets can cause severe pain and discomfort, but we may not even feel it.

Demodectic mange or subcutaneous mite in dogs is another unpleasant and common problem that greatly harms the health of the animal. Not only do these parasitic organisms cause pain, but they are also carriers of pathogenic infections.

What is demodicosis in dogs

The parasitic disease is an infection caused by a specific type of mite called Demodex canine. They form entire colonies and settle in hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands. Several individuals penetrate the follicle. Parasites feed on animal epidermal cells. At the beginning of infection, the disease practically does not manifest itself in any way. The incubation period lasts about 6 weeks. As demodicosis spreads in animals, it can even damage internal organs.

Forms of manifestation

The first signs of Demodex damage appear only after the start of mass reproduction of the subcutaneous mite. Based on the type of symptoms, there are several forms of manifestation of the pathology:

Generalized demodicosis. It is characterized by extensive skin damage, as seen in the photo. Almost all parts of the pet’s body are involved in the pathological process.
Focal (simple) form. Here the pathology manifests itself in certain areas of the animal’s body. Most often, signs are noticeable on the head and limbs, where areas of baldness are noted.
Asymptomatic form. It occurs without visible symptoms on the skin. Demodex mites in dogs are detected only after a thorough examination of the animal.

Vitamins

This is where expert opinions differ. Some believe that vitamins for demodicosis create favorable conditions for the reproduction of mites. Others unequivocally claim that vitamins strengthen the immune system and enhance the body’s ability to resist parasites. I believe that everything is individual. And such a wonderful supplement as fish oil is more likely to do more good than harm.

In any case, before giving an animal any drug, you need to make sure that the pet is not allergic to it.

Types of disease in dogs

According to one classification, demodicosis in dogs is divided into types depending on the location of the lesions. According to this feature, there are the following types of this pathology:

Pododemodicosis. This shape is typical of American and English Cocker Spaniels. The disease is characterized by hair loss, the formation of purulent phlebitis and boils.
Otodemodecosis. In this form, the outer ear becomes inflamed. Black crusts form in the ears, and the animal feels itchy.

The generalized form is classified into several more types. They are determined by the age of the animal. According to this criterion, the following types of disease are distinguished:

Juvenile demodicosis. It is observed in puppies under 1 year of age who become infected from their mother. Most animals recover on their own as they grow older and their immune systems mature.
Adult. This is a more serious form of the disease. The cause is often another pathology or reduced cellular immunity. In this case, serious treatment of the pet is required.

Sources of infection

An adult dog becomes infected through contact with sick animals, swimming in ponds with stagnant water, or through contaminated accessories. The disease is transmitted to puppies from mothers who have previously been ill, but the main clinical signs appear in babies at the age of three months.

There is a breed predisposition to infection with subcutaneous parasites in purebred smooth-haired dogs, including such breeds as:

Shar Pei;
dachshund;
Rottweiler;
Doberman;
Dogue de Bordeaux;
kurtshaar;
bull terrier;
bulldog (English, French, American);
Staffordshire Terrier;
pug;
miniature pinscher.

The disease becomes noticeable only a few weeks after the initial infection.

Causes of demodicosis

The Demodex mite feels especially good in conditions of high humidity and dampness. Canine demodicosis is often combined with conjunctivitis, scabies, stomatitis and immunosuppressive conditions. The specific causes of pathology are the following:

reduced general resistance of the body;
general weakness of the animal due to other diseases;
prolonged nutritional deficiency or fasting;
long-term therapy with antibiotics or other drugs that suppress the immune system;
age;
lack of proper hygienic care for animals;
individual predisposition.

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Complications and consequences

Against the background of weakened immunity, demodicosis is almost always accompanied by fungal and microbial infections. This complicates the course of the disease. It takes more time, effort and medications to carry out complex treatment.

In addition, demodicosis may be accompanied by conjunctivitis and dermatitis.

In the generalized course of the disease, damage to the gastrointestinal tract and liver may occur, and problems with the endocrine system may arise.

Clinical manifestations

Each form of demodicosis in dogs has its own characteristic symptoms. With otodemodecosis, the pet shakes its head and rubs it against various objects. In addition to clinical signs, several general symptoms of the disease can be identified:

hair begins to fall out - on the chest, paws, muzzle, along the spine;
comedones appear in areas of alopecia - acne, blackheads;
if an animal has long hair, it begins to stick together - (follicular casts).

Symptoms of local skin lesions

Localized (focal or local) is characterized by damage to individual areas of the body. Areas of baldness are noted on the limbs and head. In the affected areas, the skin wrinkles and thickens. Its color changes to grayish or reddish-red. Dry scales appear on the skin. Other distinctive features of the localized form:

pustules appear on the skin - light pink nodular rashes;
then the pustules degenerate into abscesses, which then burst;
the contents of the pustules dry out (females live in papules for up to 10 months), the skin becomes rough and red, becomes covered with folds, and acquires an unpleasant odor.

Signs of generalized demodicosis

With the generalized type, the mite penetrates deep into the layers of the skin, so it can even reach the internal organs. Clinical signs of this form of demodicosis are:

foaming at the mouth;
coordination problems;
weakness;
convulsions;
muscle tremors;
dyspepsia;
increased salivation;
vomit.

Notoedrosis

The disease is similar to sarcoptic mange and is caused by mites of the genus Notoedres.

Peculiarities

Notohedrosis mites parasitize the skin of dogs and form clusters (“nests”) inside the skin.

The causative agent of notohedrosis under a microscope. Photo: Babiy A.N. (Vetmedical)

Symptoms of notohedrosis

Characteristic nodules and blisters appear on the skin of a sick animal in affected areas (head, forehead, bridge of the nose, brow ridges and ears). The skin in these places becomes folded, and the hair may fall out. Then the ticks can spread to other parts of the body – the dog’s front (less often, back) paws. It is possible to develop purulent conjunctivitis and swelling of the eyelids and nasal passages. With notoedrosis, moderate itching is noted.

Diagnosis of demodicosis

The main method for diagnosing demodicosis in dogs is an external examination. It helps to note visible signs of the disease. In addition to the external examination, the doctor:

studies heredity;
does a blood test;
compiles anamnesis based on clinical manifestations;
analyzes skin scrapings.

Differential diagnosis

In addition to traditional methods of confirming demodex damage, differential diagnostic methods are used. This pathology must be distinguished from:

Trichophytosis. This is a fungal disease. It manifests itself as peeling skin and brittle hair, which is not observed with demodicosis.
Sarcoptic mange. The pathology is also accompanied by itching, which is not typical for demodicosis.
Otodectosis. In this case, the mites are localized in the inner ear.
Notoedrosis. This disease is localized on the dog's head and is characterized by vesicles and papules. Next, the skin becomes covered with crusts, and then with folds.
Pyoderma. Characterized by purulent lesions. The causative agent of pyoderma is bacteria.
Nutritional dystrophy. The main symptom is hair loss in tufts. The cause of the disease is a disruption of the endocrine system.
Infectious pathologies - necrobacteriosis, Aujeszky's disease. With this disease, skin lesions are secondary symptoms.

Cheyletiellosis (cheyletiosis)

The causative agent, the Cheyletiella mite, lives on the surface of the skin.

Peculiarities

Cheyletiellosis is contagious, occurs at any time of the year, has no breed or age specificity, but is recorded less frequently than other tick-borne diseases.

The causative agent of cheyletiellosis. Photo: Dr. Michael Dryden, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University

Can be transmitted to humans.

Symptoms of cheyletiellosis

The places where cheyletiellosis manifests itself are the upper part of the neck, ears and back, where sick dogs experience itching and redness of the skin, the formation of pustules, rashes, scales (another name for cheyletiellosis is wandering dandruff), then crusts that appear as a result of scratching.

Dandruff with cheyletiellosis

Hair loss may occur in affected areas.

How to treat subcutaneous mites in dogs

Adult demodicosis in dogs requires unambiguous treatment. In the juvenile form, less aggressive therapy is prescribed, which only helps prevent the disease from becoming a generalized type. Laboratory diagnostics of skin scraping helps to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. They are done every 2-3 weeks until complete recovery. The specific treatment regimen depends on the form of demodicosis:

Localized. This form can be treated with antibacterial ointments and shampoos.
Generalized. Active combination therapy is carried out only after the animal reaches the age of 3 years. Treatment is aimed at suppressing secondary infections caused by bacteria and eliminating the cause of the disease - ticks.

Antiparasitic tablets

The basis for treating demodicosis at home is antiparasitic tablets. Their action is aimed at destroying ticks. A certain drug is prescribed only by a doctor. The following remedies are especially effective:

Ivermectin. Based on the component of the same name. Shows antiparasitic properties and has an acaricidal effect. Available in the form of a solution for intravenous administration or tablets. The dosage for dogs is calculated based on 200 mcg per 1 kg of weight. The drug is used once. An analogue is Dektomax.
Milbemycin. Used to treat ivermectin sensitive breeds. For dogs, a dose of 0.5-2 mg orally per 1 kg of weight is indicated. Can be used once. Milbemycin should not be used in weakened animals and pregnant dogs.
Bravecto. This is a new drug that is fast-acting. Ticks die after taking it, regardless of the place of attachment, after 12 hours. The drug was developed specifically for dogs. It is safe for puppies. The dosage is calculated depending on the weight of the dog. It can range from 112.5 to 1400 mg.

Solutions and drops

A comprehensive treatment method involves not only taking drugs orally, but also therapy with external agents. For this purpose, solutions and drops are used, for example:

Leopard Spot-on. This is a solution that helps treat demodicosis in dogs over 2 months of age. The drug is effective in the treatment and prevention of relapse of the disease. Apply by drop application to dry, intact skin. The dose depends on the body weight of the animal. The drug is used 2-4 times. The interval between doses should be at least 10-14 days.
Chlorhexidine or Miramistin. These are antiseptic preparations for external use. Twice a day you need to wash the animal’s skin with the solution. The course of treatment is no more than 5 weeks.

Injections

This disease is difficult to cure, so not all remedies can help achieve recovery. In this case, injections for intramuscular administration may be more effective, such as:

Ivermectin. The drug acts on ticks, causing their paralysis and death. It is prescribed once in a dosage of 0.2-0.4 ml per 10 kg of weight. The drug is contraindicated in weakened dogs, bitches before and after giving birth for 14 days.
Aversect. Light yellow, transparent solution with a wide spectrum of antiparasitic action. The medicine is administered to the animal once or twice in a dose calculated based on 0.4 ml per 10 kg of body weight. A pet with a lower weight is prescribed a different dosage - 0.1 ml per 1 kg.

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Antiseptic ointments

For external treatment of animal skin, ointments with antiseptic, antiparasitic and antimicrobial effects, mainly containing amitraz, are used. These products help not only to destroy the tick, but also to disinfect the affected areas and speed up their recovery. For this purpose, the following ointments are used:

Sulfuric. Shows antiseptic, antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory properties. Sulfur ointment should be used once every 2 days using applications or under bandages.
Ichthyol. The ointment has a local anesthetic, keratoplasty and anti-inflammatory effect. The product should be applied every 8-10 hours under the bandage.
Vetabiol. This is a preparation for skin and coat, based on a natural product. Apply the ointment in a thin layer to the affected areas up to 2-3 times a day.

Vitamin complexes to restore immunity

After killing the tick, it is necessary to restore the animal’s normal immunity. The following drugs can help increase the body's defenses:

Vetensim. This is a vitamin and mineral complex, including brewer's yeast, calcium phosphate, silicon dioxide, calcium carbonate, vitamins B and E. For small breeds, 1 tablet per day is recommended, for medium-sized breeds - 2, for large breeds - 3.
Midivet. This is a biologically active feed additive synthesized from the meat of bivalve mollusks. The drug helps remove toxins, activate regenerative processes in the skin and hair growth, stimulate liver function and strengthen the immune system. Midivet is used in a mixture with food in a ratio of 1:3.

Shampoos with insecticidal action

During the treatment of demodicosis in dogs, proper hygiene of the animal’s skin is very important. For this purpose, owners use special shampoos:

Shampoo "Doctor" from Convet. It has antipruritic, deodorizing and keratolytic properties. As a result of use, the growth of pathogenic microorganisms is inhibited. Shampoo is used 2-4 times a week. It is applied to the affected areas, then washed off and applied again. After 10 minutes, you can finally wash off the drug.
Shampoo for dogs "Fitoelita". This product belongs to the natural category and has an insecticidal effect. Helps rid the animal of parasites, relieves itching and inflammation. Before applying shampoo, moisturize the skin. Then take shampoo at the rate of 0.5-1 ml per 1 kg of weight. After 4-5 minutes, the product can be washed off. Wool and skin must be dried after washing.

Traditional treatment

Among folk remedies against demodicosis, birch tar is considered the most effective. For home treatments, you can use it in the form of soap. The dog is lathered with it in the affected areas and left for 3 hours. Then the soap should be washed off with warm water and the skin should be dried. Other effective recipes and folk methods against demodex in dogs:

mix crushed celandine with vaseline in a ratio of 1:4;
combine 1 part turpentine and 2 parts drying oil or animal fat;
mix 5 tbsp. mustard oil with 1 tbsp. crushed garlic;
prepare a mixture of 2 tsp. grated laundry soap, 1 tsp. birch tar, 2 tsp. melted fat and 1 tsp. sulfur.

Feeding a dog when treating subcutaneous mites

A review of diet can help cure demodicosis in dogs faster at home. The diet should be balanced. It is made from natural products and fresh feed that do not contain flavor enhancers or dyes. Meat, eggs, dairy products, cereals and vegetables are preferred in the diet. You cannot feed your pet fatty or salty foods. The best option is to use hypoallergenic food.

Vitamin complexes are added only after consultation with a doctor. The diet should be enriched with vitamin A. To do this, the dog is given grated carrots. When purchasing food, you need to consider the following factors:

manufacturer's reputation, feed quality;
reviews from other buyers;
hypoallergenic;
absence of chemicals.

Prevention

One of the options for preventing pathology is timely vaccination against demodicosis in dogs. It affects the animal’s immunity and stimulates antiparasitic defense. Immunoparasitan is used as a vaccination drug. This drug consists of elements of the parasite. The body's immune system kicks in after the vaccine is administered and suppresses the proliferation of parasites within a few days. The drug administration regimen is intramuscular once every 5 days. After this, in case of a complicated course of the disease, Ivomec injections are used.

There are also other methods for preventing demodicosis. Their goal is to maintain immunity at the proper level and timely treatment at the first signs of pathology. To prevent infection you must:

regularly examine your pet’s skin;
Contact a veterinarian if skin irritation occurs;
wash and comb the animal in a timely manner;
do not allow uncontrolled treatment with corticosteroid hormonal drugs;
limit your pet’s communication with already sick individuals and stray dogs, which are a source of invasion;
carefully examine animals before potential mating;
Provide your pet with proper nutrition.

Prevention

Of course, it is impossible to protect your beloved dog from all misfortunes. But it is within your power to reduce the risk of certain diseases, including demodicosis. To do this, the following preventive measures should be observed:

Avoid contact of your pet with sick and stray dogs.
Provide your four-legged animal with adequate nutrition.
Maintain good hygiene. Keep your tail's skin and fur clean and dry. Timely washing and combing, if not prevented, will help identify the disease in the early stages. After washing, dry the coat thoroughly so that it is not wet.
Before the intended mating, conduct a comprehensive examination of both four-legged parents.
Clean your sleeping area and toys regularly.
The room where the pet is kept must be dry, without high humidity. Dampness and drafts contribute to diseases and decreased immunity, resulting in the appearance of demodicosis.
Monitor the general health of your furry pet.
Carry out deworming and preventive vaccination in a timely manner. One of the prophylactic agents that prevent infection with demodicosis is the antiparasitic vaccine Immunoparazitan. It is administered to the dog every six months - 2 times, with an interval of 14 days.