Demodectic mange is the second most common type of mange in dogs.It is known as red mange because of the characteristic redness of the skin of dogs that suffer from it.Hereditary herd is another name given to the disease, but it is a wrong name because the real cause of the disease is proliferation delacaro Demodex canis .
In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will detail that it is demodectic mange , which are the symptoms that allow us to identify it and the treatment to be applied in case of infection.
However, remember that it will be basic to see a veterinary professional to properly treat this disease.The specialist is the only one trained to carry out an accurate diagnosis.
What is demodectic mange?
Demodectic mange, also known as canine demodicosis, usually occurs in localized form .That is to say it affects only small parts of the skin, however, sometimes it can occur in a generalized way and in these cases it becomes a much more dangerous and complicated disease to treat.
Elacaro Demodex canis is the cause of this scabies.It lives in the hair follicles and Sebaceous glands of all dogs, healthy and sick.Normally, the dog's immune system is responsible for keeping the population of sosacaros under control.However, when that system fails and defenses go down, the population of D.canis soars and causes the disease.
Dogs at risk of suffering from scabies are those that have some type of immunosuppression .This may occur due to some disease, seasonally (for example during the heat season in females), due to hormonal changes during growth or, due to stress or genetic causes.It is finally considered that hereditary mange is sometimes called demodectic mange, but it is a misnomer because even if the immune deficit has hereditary bases, the cause of the disease is almost clear.
However, it is known that some lines present this disease more frequently.In addition, demodecosis seems to be more common in the following dog breeds:
- Afghan hound
- American pit bull terrier
- american staffordshire terrier
- boxer
- border collie
- doberman
- bulldog english
- french bulldog
- the German shepherd
- shar pei
- beagle
- pug
Estosacaros are present in all dogs, so there is no risk of infection of the disease.Only developed by immunosuppressed dogs.There is no risk of infection to humans.
Symptoms of demodectic mange in dogs
The localized form is common in puppies, but it can also occur in adult dogs.Their symptoms include:
- Hair loss (alopecia) located in small patches.These bare patches can occur anywhere on the body, but they are more frequent in the head, face, neck, front legs and shoulders.
- Erythema (reddened skin).
- Inflammation.
Normally this form of demodectic mange does not cause itching, so there is no skin irritation or injury, however, these conditions may occur in some cases.
The generalized form of demodectic mange, also presents the following symptoms:
- Generalized hair loss (alopecia) in large regions of the body.
- Picazon.
- The dog scratches, licks and bites the areas that bother him.
- Swelling, scaling, scrapes, wounds and scabs.
- Bacterial skin infections.
Diagnosis of demodectic mange in dogs
The diagnosis must be made by the veterinarian .In addition to considering the previous history of the dog, it will do a scraping of the affected areas with a sterilized scalpel.Then you will observe the scraping under the microscope to determine if there is a presence of the D.canis.
In some cases it can be difficult to obtain the mites with a simple scraping and the veterinarian may opt for a skin biopsy.This occurs in thick and very folded dogs like sharpei.
Treatment for demodectic scabies
The treatment for demodectic scabies, both local and generalized, consists of administering medications orally and in ointments .The drug to be used and the dosage should be indicated by the veterinarian, but antiparasitic drugs with acaricidal power such as ivermectin, milbemycin, moxidectin and amitraz are generally used.Some medicated shampoos can also help treat the disease.
It is important to take into account that the drugs used to cure the Demodectic scabies can have adverse side effects.The veterinarian must report these potential effects for owners to take appropriate measures for their pets.When there is secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics are usually given to combat it.
prognosis is variable according to each case .Puppies with localized scabies have an excellent prognosis.In these cases the disease usually remits naturally, although It is preferable to do the treatment to ensure success.Adult dogs with localized scabies have a more reserved prognosis and it is not expected that the disease remits naturally.In these cases, the treatment may be more or less long, but usually gives good results.
Dogs suffering from generalized demodectic mange have a less favorable prognosis.In these cases it is much more difficult to control the disease and it is possible that the dog presents it throughout its life, although care can be provided so that it has a good quality of life.
Adult dogs that present this disease, both in a localized and generalized way, can be subjected to deeper diagnoses in search of a systematic disease that is the cause of the disease.low in defenses.
How to prevent canine demodicosis
Since the skin that causes demodecosis normally lives in dogs, it is impossible to eliminate it.Therefore, there is no way to prevent its presence in our pets.However, it is possible Help prevent disease by keeping dogs in good condition, without unnecessary stress, with good nutrition, exercise and proper company.
This article is merely informative, at Animals and Pets Online we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in If you have any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Demodectic mange in dogs-Symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our section of Parasitic diseases.
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