![]() ![]() Localized demodicosis is almost exclusively a "puppyhood" disease. ![]() In this case, it is best to be conservative and not take the chance of passing on genetic predisposition for this disease. If the condition receives treatment and resolves, we will never know how the disease would have gone in its natural state and will not know whether the pup is carrying the genetic predisposition for generalized demodectic mange. If the condition generalizes to cover the entire body, the animal should be sterilized. If it stays localized and eventually resolves without treatment, the animal is still a candidate for breeding. The current recommendation is not to treat these puppies so that we can determine if the condition will stay localized and resolve or if it will generalize. Sometimes the puppy with localized demodicosis was obtained for breeding purposes. Enlarged lymph nodes are a bad sign - often foretelling generalized mange. Resolution of a localized demodicosis lesion should be at least partially apparent after one month though total resolution can take up to three months.Īpproximately 10% of localized demodicosis cases will progress to generalized demodicosis. Neither of these situations truly represents exacerbation of the disease. It is also possible for rubbing the medication on the area to break off the weaker hairs at the margin of the lesion causing the lesion to appear to get bigger. It is important to note that rubbing a creme or ointment on a demodicosis lesion can cause reddening of the lesion making it appear to get worse. Antibacterial gels are also used against localized demodicosis and associated skin infections. Goodwinol ointment, an insecticide ointment, may be used daily to control localized demodicosis. Mites are a normal residents of dog skin it is only in some individual dogs that mites cause problems.Īround her left eye Treatment is not necessary or recommended for localized demodicosis but there are treatment options for people who simply cannot feel right about doing nothing.Mites live inside hair follicles - a difficult place for miticides (chemicals that kill mites) to reach.While there are still assorted theories about dog to dog transmission of Demodex mites, there is no question that mites cannot be transmitted to humans or to cats. In rare circumstances contagion is possible if a very severe infection is involved. Current thinking is that mites actually can be transferred from one dog to another but as long as the dog is healthy, the mites simply add into the dog's natural mite population and no skin disease results. It is not clear if some species of Demodex are more contagious than others or if some contagion is possible under certain circumstances. Recently this idea has been challenged as occasionally multiple unrelated dogs break with demodicosis in the same household. In other words, after age one week or so, a dog will not longer accept new mites on its body. After the pup is a week or so old, it has developed enough immunity so that infection is no longer possible. Classically Demodex mites have been felt to only be transferable from mother to newborn pup. That said, there are some circumstances under which the mites could spread from one dog to another. If, however, conditions change to upset the natural equilibrium (such as some kind of suppression of the dog's immune system), the Demodex mites may "gain the upper hand." The mites proliferate and can cause serious skin disease.ĭemodectic mange (unlike Sarcoptic mange) is not considered a contagious disease and isolation of affected dogs is generally not considered necessary. Most dogs live in harmony with their mites, never suffering any consequences from being parasitized. All dogs raised normally by their mothers possess this mite as mites are transferred from mother to pup via cuddling during the first few days of life. The most common mite of demodectic mange is Demodex canis. Three species of Demodex mites have been identified in dogs: Demodex canis, Demodex gatoi, and Demodex injai. Demodectic mange, also called "demodicosis," is caused by a microscopic mite of the Demodex genus.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |