Demodecosis in dogs

Parasitic dermatological diseases can appear not only in humans, but also in animals. For example, demodicosis in dogs is a fairly common disease that requires mandatory treatment.

How to identify the disease in a timely manner? What modern methods help to cope with the pathology faster?

[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Causes demodecosis in dogs

Demodicosis is a parasitic disease caused by a specific type of mite – Demodex canis. The mites settle in the sebaceous and sweat glands, hair follicles and some organs, where entire colonies of parasites are formed.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of the disease:

• lack of hygienic care of the animal;
• hereditary predisposition;
• general weakness of the dog associated with other diseases;
• age;
• prolonged fasting or nutritional deficiency;
• weak immune defense;
• long-term treatment with antibiotics or other drugs that suppress the immune system.

The Demodex mite thrives in damp conditions, so it reproduces well in damp rooms and on wet, irritated skin. Demodecosis can be combined with diseases such as scabies, conjunctivitis, stomatitis, and immunosuppressive conditions.

[ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Symptoms demodecosis in dogs

The first signs of the disease appear when the mites begin to reproduce en masse. The symptoms may vary depending on the clinical form of demodicosis.

The symptoms of the disease are divided into localized (focal), generalized and asymptomatic forms.

• Localized demodicosis in dogs is characterized by the appearance of bald zones on certain areas of the body (usually on the head and limbs). The skin in these areas thickens, wrinkles, becomes grayish or reddish-red, and becomes covered with small scaly elements. Pustules may appear - light pink nodular rashes that darken over time and degenerate into abscesses. Pustules filled with pus burst, as a result of which their contents are released, which dry out, acquiring the appearance of gray-brown scabs. Damaged skin becomes rough and red, folds appear on it. In severe cases, general intoxication and exhaustion develop, as a result of which the animal may die.
• Generalized demodicosis in dogs occurs with extensive damage to the skin, with the involvement of almost all areas of the animal's body. The disease penetrates into the deep layers of tissue, and internal organs are also affected. Signs of general intoxication come to the fore:
  • weakness;
  • muscle tremors and cramps;
  • gag reflex;
  • nausea (salivation);
  • dyspepsia;
  • the appearance of foam from the mouth;
  • coordination disorders.

If the dog is not given help in the near future, the disease may be fatal.

• Asymptomatic demodicosis occurs without visible changes on the skin, but upon careful examination, Demodex mites can be detected.

Juvenile demodicosis in dogs

Juvenile demodicosis can occur in puppies up to one year of age. Puppies become infected from a sick mother in the first days after birth. The main factor contributing to the development of the disease is weak immune protection, which cannot resist the reproduction of parasitic mites. Treatment of juvenile demodicosis begins only when the animal grows up. In some cases, the disease disappears on its own or with the use of exclusively external preparations.

There is also a special form of the disease, such as generalized juvenile demodicosis. This form is considered hereditary and is caused by an autosomal recessive gene. It is difficult and time-consuming to treat such a disease, and after recovery, such dogs are sterilized.

[ 5 ]

Complications and consequences

Demodicosis in dogs can be complicated by other dermatological diseases, such as rosacea, dermatitis or conjunctivitis.

In the generalized form, damage to the stomach, duodenum, intestines, and gall bladder may be observed. In addition, endocrine system diseases often occur, and foci of chronic infection arise.

If the immune system is weak and treatment is poor or insufficient, the disease can result in general damage to the body and death.

[ 6 ]

Diagnostics demodecosis in dogs

Demodicosis in dogs is usually easy to diagnose. The following information is taken into account to make a correct diagnosis:

• result of deep skin scraping;
• heredity analysis;
• clinical symptoms of the disease.

A scraping for demodicosis in dogs is carried out after squeezing the skin so that the maximum number of mites come out. After this, a scraping is taken so deep until a drop of blood appears. During the study, the appearance of a mite in the material of healthy dogs is not excluded. However, in a sick animal, mites are found far from alone, and in combination with eggs and immature individuals. If there is a single insect in the material, it sometimes makes sense to scrape in another place, again.

In advanced cases, as well as in dogs with specific skin types (for example, in Shar Pei), histological analyses of a biopsy sample are often performed – material obtained by biopsy.

[ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Differential diagnosis

Demodicosis in dogs is differentiated from the following pathologies:

• sarcoptosis;
• dermatosis of autoimmune origin;
• endocrine alopecia;
• mycosis of the skin;
• pyoderma;
• infectious furunculosis;
• leishmaniasis, etc.

Treatment demodecosis in dogs

The treatment regimen for demodicosis in dogs is prescribed depending on the extent of the animal's lesion. With a localized course, spontaneous healing is possible, but with a generalized course, such an outcome is impossible.

First of all, attention is paid to proper care, hygiene and living conditions of the animal. A sick dog should be kept in a warm and dry room, with proper nutrition, which we will talk about later. If the general health is unsatisfactory, then it will be quite difficult to cure demodicosis.

Antibiotics and other pills for demodicosis for dogs are prescribed only by a veterinarian. Such drugs should act in several directions:

1. destruction of tick parasites;
2. restoration of skin;
3. strengthening the animal's own immune defenses;
4. acceleration of the removal of toxic substances from the bloodstream;
5. elimination of unpleasant symptoms.

• Demodecosis tablets for dogs:
  • Ivermectin is a well-known antiparasitic drug, available in 3 mg tablets, used for oral administration in the amount of 200 mcg/kg of animal weight. Duration of administration is 1 week.
  • Milbemycin is an anthelmintic drug that is also used to get rid of the Demodex mite. It is prescribed according to the following scheme:
    • for dogs weighing up to 1 kg – half a tablet “for puppies”;
    • for dogs weighing up to 5 kg – a whole tablet “for puppies”;
    • for dogs weighing up to 25 kg – one whole tablet “for adults”;
    • for dogs up to 50 kg – two tablets “for adults”;
    • For dogs up to 70 kg – three tablets “for adults”.

Milbemycin is not used to treat puppies under 14 days of age and weighing less than 500 g, as well as in pregnant and weakened animals.

• Bravecto is an insectoacaricide. It is prescribed before meals at a rate of 25-56 mg/kg of the dog's weight. The tablet is given whole, without crushing or breaking. It is permissible to administer this veterinary drug to pregnant and lactating animals.

Penicillin therapy or sulfonamide drugs are also used to treat and prevent purulent infection.

• Solutions and drops for dogs against demodicosis:
  • Bars Spot-on is a veterinary product for external use, prescribed for the treatment and prevention of nematodosis and demodicosis. Contains Praziquantel and Ivermectin. The solution is applied to the withers, having previously exposed the skin. The product can also be used in puppies over 2 months old, from 1 to 5 pipettes, depending on the weight of the animal.
  • Chlorhexidine (miramistin) is an antiseptic external solution that is used twice a day for washing. The duration of use of the product is no more than 5 weeks. The drug disinfects and sanitizes the skin well, promoting rapid healing. It is used without serious restrictions.
• Injections for demodicosis in dogs:
  • Aversect is used as a 0.5% solution for animals weighing more than 10 kg, based on the proportion of 0.4 ml per 10 kg. For animals weighing less, the dosage is calculated according to the scheme of 0.1 ml per kg. Aversect is administered once every 6 days, subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The course of treatment is long.
  • Ivermectim is a 1% solution that causes paralysis and death of ticks. It is administered subcutaneously, once, at a dosage of 0.2-0.4 ml per 10 kg of weight. Ivermectim is not used in weakened animals, in puppies under 6 months, 14 days before and 14 days after birth.
• Ointment for demodicosis for dogs:
  • Sulfur ointment – has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiparasitic effects. The ointment is applied under bandages or as applications once every two days.
  • Vetabiol is a natural external remedy obtained from coniferous wood. The ointment is applied to areas affected by demodicosis, every day up to 3 times a day. It is not recommended to cover the area of application with a bandage. Duration of treatment is up to 14 days.
  • Ichthyol ointment is a local remedy that is applied under a bandage every 8-10 hours.
• Other remedies for demodicosis:
  • Shampoo "Doctor" (Convet) - keratolytic, antipruritic and deodorizing preparation, inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and suppressing the development of the inflammatory reaction. Contains benzoyl peroxide. The shampoo is applied to the affected areas, washed off and reapplied. After 10 minutes, it is finally washed off with clean water. The product can be used 2-4 times a week.
  • "Fitoelita" dog shampoo is a natural product with insecticidal action. Protects animals from various parasites, eliminates itching and inflammatory reaction. The product is applied to pre-moistened skin in a dosage of ½- 1 ml per 1 kg of the dog's weight, avoiding contact with the oral cavity and eyes. Rinse off after 4-5 minutes, dry the fur. In addition, "Fitoelita" shampoo can be used to treat the animal's bedding or blankets.

Treatment with hormonal (in particular, corticosteroid) agents is contraindicated, since such drugs contribute to the aggravation of demodicosis and accelerate its transformation into a purulent form.

Advocate

Advocate is a veterinary medicine for demodicosis in the form of a solution for external use, intended for the treatment and prevention of nematodoses, entomoses, sarcoptosis (including sarcoptosis and otodectosis) and subcutaneous mites in dogs.

Advocate is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of diseases, otodectosis, sarcoptosis, entomoses, intestinal nematodes (toxocariasis, toxascariasis, uncinariasis, ancylostomiasis), as well as for the prevention of dirofilariasis.

The drug is applied by dropwise ("spot-on") application to dry, intact skin. Before use, remove the protective cap from the pipette and, holding it vertically, pierce the protective membrane of the pipette tip (putting the cap on the back side), then remove the cap again. The drug, parting the fur, is applied to the animal in places inaccessible for licking, directly to the skin between the shoulder blades at the base of the neck. When treating large animals, the contents of the pipettes are applied to the skin in 3-4 places. The minimum therapeutic dose of the drug for dogs is 0.1 ml / kg of animal weight (10 mg / kg imidacloprid and 2.5 mg / kg moxidectin).

Ivermectin

Ivermectin for demodicosis has a pronounced acaricidal effect on larvae and adult individuals of sarcoptic and demodectic mites. Ivermectin, which is part of the drug, enhances the production of the inhibitory neurotransmitter - gamma-aminobutyric acid, which leads to disruption of impulse transmission from nerve cells to muscle cells, paralysis and death of the parasite. Panthenol has a wound-healing effect, and lidocaine has a local anesthetic effect with a pronounced antipruritic effect. Ivermectin is practically not absorbed through the skin and has an acaricidal effect on it, in hair follicles and sebaceous glands for 5 - 7 days. According to the degree of impact on the body, Ivermectin gel is classified as a low-hazard substance. In recommended doses, it does not have a local irritant, resorptive-toxic, embryotoxic, teratogenic or mutagenic effect. The drug is toxic to fish and bees.

In case of subcutaneous mite, sarcoptosis and notoedrosis, the preparation is applied in a thin layer to the affected areas previously cleaned of scabs and crusts at the rate of 0.2 - 0.3 ml per 1 kg of animal weight, lightly rubbing from the periphery to the center, capturing 1 - 2 cm of border healthy skin. To prevent licking the drug, the animal is muzzled (or the jaws are closed with a loop of tape), which is removed 15 - 20 minutes after applying the preparation. The treatment is carried out 2 - 4 times with an interval of 5 - 7 days until the animal has clinically recovered, which is confirmed by two negative results of acarological examination. Animals with extensive affected areas are treated in two doses with an interval of one day, applying the preparation to the affected areas first on one and then on the other half of the body. This is the treatment for demodicosis.

Aversectin

Aversectin for demodicosis is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug for intradermal injections, which in appearance is a transparent yellow solution, contains 20% averectin C and a solvent.

For the prevention and treatment of hypodermatosis, the drug is administered at a dose of 0.1 ml per 400 kg of body weight of the animal, for other parasitoses at a rate of 0.1 ml of the drug per 100 kg of body weight (which corresponds to 0.2 mg / kg according to the active substance). At the injection site, a tubercle (pea) with a diameter of approximately 8 mm is formed, which indicates the correct administration of the drug. At the time of administration of the drug, in order to avoid injury, do not move the nozzle relative to the injection site.

Usually does not cause side effects. In no case should the drug be taken if there is hypersensitivity to the main components of the drug. This is a serious drug that requires special consultation before use. The therapeutic effect of treating demodicosis in this way is achieved in a short time.

[ 10 ], [ 11 ]

Vitamins for demodicosis in dogs

The advisability of using vitamins for demodicosis in dogs is controversial: some specialists prescribe vitamin preparations to all animals without exception, while others are categorically against it, believing that such means promote the development of mites. Meanwhile, vitamins definitely help strengthen the dog's immunity, which increases the body's resistance to infection.

Among the most common vitamin preparations prescribed for demodicosis, the following can be distinguished:

• "Vetzim" is a vitamin tablet preparation based on brewer's yeast. Contains vitamins of group B and E. "Vetzim" has virtually no contraindications and can be used for a long time. Usually, 2 to 4 tablets are prescribed per day for a month.
• "Midivet" is a modern adaptogen drug containing a large number of essential amino acids, fatty acids, macro- and microelements. "Midivet" accelerates the elimination of toxins, inhibits the growth of bacteria and viruses, activates skin regeneration, strengthens the immune system, and improves liver function. The drug is used 1-4 drops per 1 kg of weight for 10 days. After 1 month, the treatment can be repeated.

Before giving your dog vitamin supplements, be sure to make sure that the animal is not allergic to the components of the selected product.

Folk remedies

The most effective folk remedy against demodicosis is considered to be birch tar. It is evenly distributed over the affected skin and left for 3 hours.

In addition, you can prepare various ointments at home:

• a mixture of pure turpentine with drying oil or animal fat in a 1:2 ratio;
• 1 part celandine juice with 4 parts petroleum jelly;
• powdered sulfur with melted fat (1:2);
• a mixture of equal parts of melted fat, grated green soap, powdered sulfur and birch tar;
• a mixture of dried crushed celandine herb with heavy cream;
• a mixture of equal parts ground bay leaf and animal fat;
• five parts mustard oil and 1 part crushed garlic;
• one part ground elecampane root, two parts birch tar and 4 parts melted butter;
• two parts of melted fat, the same amount of grated laundry soap, one part of powdered sulfur and one part of birch tar.

Wounds can also be washed with infusions of plants such as buckthorn bark, elecampane root, scabious herb, and fumitory herb.

[ 12 ], [ 13 ]

Dog nutrition for demodicosis

Treatment of the disease caused by the Demodex mite should be comprehensive. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account such an important factor as nutrition. The dog should eat complete, natural and fresh food, without chemicals - flavor enhancers, dyes, etc. It is better if the food consists of meat products (boiled ones are possible), as well as eggs, dairy products, vegetables, cereals.

You should not make your dog's food fatty, salty, or add vodka to it. It is permissible to add vitamins to the food, after consulting with a veterinarian.

Some manufacturers produce special dry food for treating skin diseases in dogs. When buying such a product, you need to make sure of the following points:

• good quality of feed and reputation of the manufacturer;
• positive feedback from customers;
• absence of chemical ingredients in the product;
• hypoallergenic food.

If the dog's diet is selected correctly, then the chances of successful treatment of demodicosis are significantly increased.

Prevention

Methods of preventing demodicosis include:

• limiting the dog's contact with other sick animals, as well as with stray dogs;
• compliance with dog hygiene rules, timely washing and combing;
• avoidance of uncontrolled use of medications, especially corticosteroid hormonal drugs;
• complete vitamin-rich nutrition;
• thorough examination of animals before the proposed mating.

Another option for prevention is a vaccine against demodicosis in dogs. The effect on the animal's immunity and stimulation of antiparasitic protection are the main purposes of vaccination. As a rule, the veterinary drug Immunoparasitan, consisting of parasite elements, is used for vaccinations. After the vaccine is administered, the immune system is triggered and suppresses the development and reproduction of ticks. Immunoparasitan is used according to a special scheme, once every 5 days, intramuscularly.

[ 14 ]

Forecast

The prognosis may be favorable in case of localized demodicosis (90% recovery), and questionable in case of generalized form. The outcome of generalized disease depends on the speed of parasite spread and the degree of resistance of the animal's organism. Also, an important factor is the timeliness of seeking veterinary help. In advanced cases, due to excessive exhaustion and intoxication, the dog may die.

Demodicosis in dogs is a serious disease that can provoke the development of very sad consequences. This happens when the pet's health is not given enough attention. If you follow preventive measures and visit a veterinarian in a timely manner, the likelihood of demodicosis can be reduced to a minimum.