important points demodectic

Option Four: Rinses such as in DEMADEX are applied diluted to the affected areas on a frequent  If your puppy develops any balding basis. These products are massaged dogs into the skin where the live. If patches it is best to get them checked. used in very small dogs, it is neces-  Demodicosis is not contagious to other sary to only use at the recommend- ed rate as poisoning can occur. dogs. Some breeds such as Chihuahuas  mites do not infect people. are more susceptible to poisoning than others breeds because of their  Treatment for Demodicosis is almost al- low bodyweight. Often ways necessary. courses for several weeks are also Client information series required to suppress secondary bac-  It is essential that you follow the treat- terial infections. ment guideline recommended by your Over the course of the treatment, it vet, and the scheduled revisits are neces- will be necessary to do repeated sary to determine the success of treat- skin scrapings and revisits at specific times will be requested. This may all ment, and length of time treatment needs add significantly to the cost of treat- to be continued. ment which may take up to four months to complete.  Demodicosis usually responds well to treatment, but occasionally will be impos- A small percentage of cases of De- sible to cure. modicosis never completely resolve Client information series and will require repeated treatment for the life of the dog. These cases usually do require long term antibi- doyalson animal hospital 423 Scenic Drive otic treatment, omega fatty acid Doyalson NSW 2262 supplements and specialized sham- doyalson animal hospital Phone: 43 992129 poo treatment. Web: www.doyalsonvet.com.au Phone: 43992129 underlying disease process which may be sup- pressing the host immune system. Treatment: Very mild cases will occasion- ally spontaneously resolve without treat- general Some breeds of dogs (, Staffordshire ment, however most cases will require Bull Terriers and Boxers) seem more prone to treatment. Dogs with generalized dis- information developing severe demodicosis, so there is ease, especially with secondary infections thought to be a genetic link. or underlying disease will require treat- ment, sometimes for extended periods of Poor nutrition age, other debilitating diseases time. and worm and flea burdens may all predis- pose a dog to develop Demodicosis. There are a few primary methods of Demodex Canis is a normal inhabitant of treatment regularly used to treat demo- canine skin. It is found in small numbers in Clinical Signs: Usually noticed first on the face dex. Which is chosen by your vet usually dogs with no clinical disease, however, it and/ or front legs as focal areas of hair loss depends on the position and severity of is capable of producing severe and re- without irritation. The spots may seem to re- the skin lesions, the age of the dog and current skin disease in the right conditions. main without change for some weeks, then ei- whether there is undercurrent disease. ther resolve or start to grow larger, or appear The entire lifecycle of the is spent on as other patches elsewhere. Option One: Topical spot-on products the surface of the skin. The parasite re- are available which may help to resolve sides within the hair follicles and occasion- Secondary bacteria may cause irritation and mild cases of demodecosis. ally the oil glands of the skin. The entire redness after the condition has been present lifecycle takes from 18 to 35 days to for some time. Sometimes the problem will limit Option Two: A product called IVERMEC- complete. The eggs hatch into larvae itself to the feet causing severe swelling and TIN is used in carefully metered oral dos- which moult into nymphs and then again deep dermatitis of the entire foot area. These es. This product is used in cattle and into adult mites. All stages of the cycle cases are often particularly resistant to treat- sheep drenches, but is not manufactured utilize host tissue fluid for survival. ment. Sometimes there will be more than one or licensed for use in dogs at this time. dog in a litter with the same type of skin prob- This is termed “Off Label prescription” Transmission of mites from dog to dog is lem. and must be carefully controlled. usually seen in a litter situation where the mother transmits to the pups in the first Diagnosis: is based on history and clinical Option Three: Weekly injections of couple of days of life. Pups up to 10 signs and then confirmed by deep skin scrap- ‘Dectomax’ are given under the skin. This months seem more prone to infection from ings which are examined under the microscope is another product used ‘off label’ for other infected dogs, however it usually to demonstrate presence of significant num- treatment in dogs but can be very effec- takes several weeks of close contact for bers of mites in the skin. tive. Courses are usually 6-8 weeks long, this to occur. With dogs that have adult onset disease, it but depend on how well the dogs re- may be necessary to do other laboratory tests spond to treatment. Spontaneous onset of Demodicosis in an looking for underlying disease which may be adult dog is usually an indication of an involved.