Demodecosis in dogs, treatment and symptoms

Demodekoz (subcutaneous tick) is a parasitic disease caused by the tick Demodex canis. Dogs hurt, less often horses, for a person the disease is not contagious. Sometimes cats also get sick, but as a rule they get well themselves, without treatment (although in some cases treatment is nevertheless necessary.) But cats can not be treated with ointments, as they lick them and can get poisoned). This type of mite is difficult to study, so today there are different opinions:

1. The disease is transmitted from a sick dog by contact and through care items;
2. The disease is not contagious (as in healthy dogs mites, too, there are but in small amounts) and arises from the weakening of immunity, beriberi and hereditary causes.

Most often young, short-haired and thoroughbred dogs are ill. An incorrect, unbalanced diet can also provoke demodicosis in dogs. Treatment of demodicosis should be accompanied by improved nutrition and vitamin supplementation.

Symptoms

There are several forms of damage:

1. The scaly form is manifested by the appearance of bald spots, usually round in shape, with a slight reddening and characteristic scabby scabs along the edges. Accompanied by a chicken smell (smell of wool). Wool around the lesion is dull and brittle;
2. The pustular form is manifested by pustules, especially noticeable on the abdomen, where there is no coat;
3. With severe damage, the disease can move into a generalized form, the dog grows thin, can become completely bald. A sick dog combs and gnaws at the affected areas because of which there is a threat of sepsis.

To the main disease fungal infections are often attached. Often, other infectious or helminthic diseases also provoke demodectosis in dogs. Treatment of demodicosis, in this case, should be carried out cautiously, with an infectious disease it is better to manage external means, as well as immunostimulants and immunomodulators.

Treatment

How to treat demodicosis in dogs? It happens that after seeing a dog in the scabs, some "well-wishers" advise the owners to get rid of it (and if the dog is homeless, then just shoot it), because it can not be cured anymore, and it can infect people. All this is not so. First, as already mentioned above, the dog subcutaneous tick is not transmitted to the person (in humans, another tick, scabies, does not parasitize the dogs). Secondly, in the fifties of the last century, when demodecosis was detected in dogs, treatment, in fact, was not yet successful. But since then new methods and methods have been developed, and today this disease is completely curable. If it is a small fleece in a young, otherwise healthy dog (juvenile demodecosis in dogs), treatment may not be required. Often, small lesions at this age can pass and independently. But, nevertheless, it is better to turn to the veterinarian in due time, because it is hard to treat a neglected disease (but do not despair, any form of demodectic can be disposed of with modern means). It is advisable to do the analysis, since demodectic symptoms can be confused, for example, with depriving or allergy. Similar symptoms have another disease, dermatomycosis in dogs.

For the treatment use drugs containing ivermectin subcutaneously or orally (in the mouth), strictly observing the dosage by weight of the animal and following the instructions. These drugs, in addition to subcutaneous mites, also destroy other external parasites (fleas, forest mites, etc.), as well as many types of worms. Since these drugs are quite toxic, it is desirable to simultaneously give hepatoprotectors (to protect the liver). Note: Ivermectin can not treat dogs with collie, shetland, bobtail and their crossbreeds. For external use, amide-containing agents are effective. Applying them, it is better to put a muzzle (not to lick) on the dog for 20 minutes. The "Apit" ointment (especially if a fungal infection has joined) also helps. If there is a suspicion of demodicosis in dogs (even if the diagnosis is not specified), treatment can begin with this ointment, it does not take off inflammation and is almost harmless.

It is good to additionally apply immunostimulants and vitamins. For example, fosprenil, maksidin, gamavit (they are usually prescribed all together) or other similar means.