Mites in Dogs – Mange and other skin problems in dogs

Could it be that your dog’s skin problems, which can include intense scratching and licking, are more than just allergies? If your puppy is shedding, scratching desperately, perhaps with red patches of skin, and you can’t find fleas, then it could be one of the many skin conditions known as “mange.”

Mange occurs when the skin is infested with one of the many different species of mites that burrow into your dog’s skin or hair follicles. Scabies is usually treatable, but some forms can be highly contagious and the condition can become very serious.

It sounds unpleasant, but mange occurs when mites make a nest on your dog’s skin. Some types of females can burrow into the skin and lay eggs, causing intense scratching, inflammation and hair loss. This usually happens after dogs come into contact with another infested animal, probably at the dog park.

It can take two to six weeks for signs to appear. What’s worse, several species of mange mites can also be transmitted to humans after contact with an infested dog.

There are several types of mange that can affect dogs, such as: sarcoptic mange, auricular mange, canine demodectic mange and thrombocytopenia. A visit to the veterinarian is mandatory for diagnosis, determination of the specific type of mite and to receive a treatment recommendation. Here are some things to keep in mind when going to the veterinary clinic.

SARCOPTIC DISEASE OF THE DOG

Sarcoptic mange in dogs, highly contagious, is caused by a specific mite, called Sarcoptes scabies var canis. In other words, a small parasite that causes itching, skin lesions and scabs.

Female mites burrow tunnels into the skin to lay eggs, and although this type of mite prefers dogs, there is a risk that humans or other animals who come into contact with an infested dog could contract the mites. Furthermore, indirect contact, for example through waste, is a possible way of spreading these mites.

A dog infested with sarcoptic mange mites usually experiences intense itching that comes on suddenly. Infested skin areas may show rashes with small, hard bumps that initially appear on the dog’s abdomen, chest, ears, elbows, and limbs; however, they can be difficult to spot.

The dog scratches or bites to relieve itching and swelling, and the surrounding area becomes affected, causing thick crusted ulcers and areas of red skin. Bacterial or fungal infections can develop on damaged skin. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, ulcers can continue to spread throughout the body and infections can be fatal.

These mites are sometimes difficult to identify and diagnose, even when the dog shows signs of infestation, such as intense itching. This can happen when a dog is bathed regularly and cared for properly, so the other typical signs – crusty ulcers and flaking skin – are removed with regular washing.

However, if mange is suspected, your vet will want to perform appropriate tests, perhaps to evaluate various areas of the skin. Because scabies is so contagious, if you are concerned about your skin, you should speak to your GP.

Any treatment must also include any other dogs that have come into contact with the infested dog. Veterinarian-recommended treatment may include clipping the dog and bathing him with a medicated shampoo to gently clean areas of crusted skin.

Newer and very safe oral treatments can be administered to control mites, or a more traditional approach can be taken using an anti-mite bath. Antibacterial treatments may also be needed to eliminate secondary bacterial infections.

EAR MITES (OTODECTIC RIEI)

This form of scabies is caused by mites known as Otodectes cynotiswhich infests the external ear canal, the part of the ear between the pinna that you can see and the eardrum, which you can’t easily see.

These mites cause inflammation of the surface of this ear canal. The mites are usually not visible because they are found in the surface layer of the external ear canal, in places that cannot be easily spotted without the right otoscopic equipment, although these mites are sometimes found on the skin on the outside of the ear.

The infested animal (a dog, or more often a young cat – rabbits also have their own type of ear mites) will often shake its head and scratch one or both ears.

As a result, dogs who have upturned ears may have a droopy ear, and in any dog ​​infested with ear mites, the outer ear may become inflamed and produce pus. Ear mite infestations can contribute to ruptured eardrums.

These mites are also highly contagious and any other dogs or cats that have come into contact with the infested dog will need to be checked and possibly treated. Your vet will recommend a treatment plan that will most likely include medications and ear cleaning.

There are new, safe and very effective oral treatments for eliminating ear mites. Other treatment options might include antiparasitic drops to use in the ears.

CANINE DEMODECIA

Mites, called Demodex caniswhich causes this form of mange, are often found in small quantities in the hair follicles of all dogs, and this is perfectly normal, without causing any signs of disease. Under certain circumstances, dogs can be infested with large numbers of these mites, causing hair loss and inflammation.

The reasons are variable and not always known, with some evidence of a hereditary predisposition to this disease based on a weak immune system response to these mites. Sometimes, the appearance is associated with an immunosuppressive condition or treatment.

“Localized demodectic mange” is one of two forms of this type of mange and occurs in a few small, isolated areas of the body that may be hairless, red, and scaly. Localized demodectic mange generally occurs in puppies under one year of age, who appear to experience very little itching or discomfort from the disease. Many of these cases resolve without any treatment.

“Generalized Demodecia” is a serious skin disease that affects large areas of the skin. This may include skin changes such as hair loss, red or swollen skin, increased pigmentation (darkening of the skin), swelling, and crusting or inflamed pads.

Bacterial skin infections are common in affected dogs, and associated signs may include swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, fever, and inflammation of the deeper layers of the skin.

Generalized demodectic mange is a serious disease and always requires medical treatment. There are new oral treatments that have improved the effectiveness in controlling these mites. Medicated shampoos and bath solutions, as well as antibiotics, may also be prescribed to control secondary infections. Routine monitoring can be important to monitor the number of mites on your dog.

Owners of dogs with demodicosis should keep in mind that treatment of the generalized form of the disease may take several months to eliminate the mites and that relapses may occur within the first year of treatment. There may be a hereditary predisposition to this disease and owners of dogs suffering from this condition should speak to their vet before considering breeding.