Treating Demodex In Dogs

The mites are tiny eight legged cigar shaped and feed in the hair follicles and oil glands of the skin.

Treating demodex in dogs.

Cease treatment four 4 weeks after the skin returns to its normal healthy condition and hair has started to regrow. The treatment of. Two different mange mites cause skin disease in dogs. Demodex also known as demodectic mange in dogs is a mite infestation on your dog s skin.

The most common form of demodex figure 1 d cornei. A long body form 1 3 figure 3 published studies indicate similar efficacy of treatment regardless of the type of mite. For severe generalized cases long term dog medications may be necessary to control the condition. Three morphologically different types of demodex mites exist in dogs.

A short body form likely a morphological variant of d canis 4 figure 2 d injai. It might surprise you to know that demodectic mites of different species reside on the bodies of virtually every adult dog and most people without causing any damage or irritation. The schedule for demodectic mange is to apply one mite avenge treatment as directed twice a week. Treating more often is fine but treating less often is not.

The first step in treating. Infection with an emphasis on how client education aids in a successful outcome. Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites. Demodectic mange sometimes just called demodex or red mange is the most common form of mange in dogs.

Interceptor 0 5 0 9mg kg month is a commonly used medication to prevent heartworm infections. Demodex in the dog is a common infestation of the dog s skin with tiny cigar shaped eight legged mites also referred to as demodectic mange the mites reside and feed in the hair follicle and oil glands of the skin. Treatment of demodectic mange in dogs if localized the problem is likely to resolve itself and disappear spontaneously which happens in approximately 90 percent of cases. Treatment of canine demodicosis is designed to resolve inflammation and thereby reduce any secondary skin infections and or fur loss and ideally to remove the mites from the skin the majority of localized cases will spontaneously resolve with no antiparasitic treatments needed.

Demodex is generally less severe than sarcoptic mites often called scabies and in most cases is self limiting that is the animal is able. Demodectic mange most often occurs when a dog has an immature immune system allowing the number of skin mites to increase rapidly. To treat demodex mites veterinarians prescribe higher doses 0 5 to 2 0 mg kg used daily for several weeks. Because juvenile onset demodicosis is the most common presenta tion of this disease in general practice the following discussion primarily addresses this condition figures 1 and 2 page 31.

These treatment instructions will help you achieve the optimal treatment.