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Demodex (Mange)
By peace | April 21, 2006
This is a particular nasty mite that lives in the skin of dogs.
It is usually seen in young pets, or older pets whose immune system is not working efficiently for some reason e.g. another illness, on cortisone therapy.
Picture showing Life cycle of Demodex
Transmission
Dogs catch the mites from infected “carriers” who may appear to have relatively normal skin. On close examination of these carriers, typical lesions are usually evident.
In the case of puppies, its usually the mother who has Demodectic mange, and this can be a indication of poor breeding practices.
Adult Demodex mite
In adult dogs, its does not appear to spread as easily as in young puppies. Usually, the infected dog’s immune system is not working as well as it should be at the time of infection e.g. in season, pregnant, other illness, on immune suppressing drugs such as cortisone. The mites find it easy to take control and spread over the whole body.
Demodex larvae Demodex eggs & nymph (“Mange” mite)
Symptoms
Juvenile cases appear as patches of hair loss over parts of the body. The coat looks a bit “moth eaten”. If the lesions get infected with bacteria as well as the Demodex mage mite, they can become quite itchy.
Adult Demodectic mange can appear as generalised patches of hair loose often with inflammation and itchiness (pruritus). Some dogs have very red inflamed feet/toe lesions which can be mistaken for a contact allergy. occasionally, pimples or pustules are present. Some dogs have a dandruff type of problem in the coat.
Diagnosis
A vet does several deep skin scrapes to collect surface skin samples. On examination with a microscope, the Demodex mites are easily identified.
Treatment
Juvenile cases may go away untreated but its usually a good idea to treat the lesions just in case it becomes generalised.
The dog should be placed on antibiotics to kill any secondary bacterial invaders.
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