Does your dog seem to suddenly have small bald patches around his
face, forelegs or eyes? He may be suffering from demodectic mange,
which is caused by a tiny mite called Demodex canis. The naked eye is
unable to see this tiny mite, so a trip to your veterinarian would be
in order to properly diagnose the presence of the Demodex canis.
Every
dog naturally has this type of mite on their skin, but in order to be
diagnosed as mange, lesions must accompany the other symptoms. Puppies
can get this mite from their mother, but the Demodex mite is not
contagious between other dogs. This type of mange can affect puppies
from three months up to twelve months of age. In the pores of the
puppies’ skin, the mite resides, but doesn’t cause symptoms until some
(unknown) point, they activate. A puppy’s immune system is not yet
developed, so the demodex mites produce a substance that allows them to
multiply once the puppies’ resistance to their presence has decreased.
As a dog matures, and his immune system is functioning properly, he is
less likely to contract demodex mites and mange. The mite will usually
disappear on its own for puppies, even without medication from the
veterinarian.
Older dogs can also be affected, as their immune systems have sometimes
already been compromised by other health issues. The prognosis for an
older dog is taken a bit more seriously, but can be diagnosed and
treated effectively.
If you see evidence of this mite on your dog, it is best to take him to
the vet to confirm the presence of the Demodex mite. The veterinarian
will determine if the dog indeed has the condition by scraping the skin
or taking an biopsy.
The Demodex mite can cause localized areas, such as the head or legs,
and sometimes over the dog’s entire body, a lost of hair. These areas
could appear red, scaly and crusty. You’ll actually be able to see bare
areas of skin. Surprisingly, this condition doesn’t cause itchiness for
the dog. Other times, Demodectic mange can begin as a localized
infection and develop into something more serious. If your dog’s skin
is sore, crusty and oozing, the hair follicles are probably clogged
with debris and the mites themselves. This level of mange requires
specific treatment, which your vet can outline for you. It may include
using an ointment around the eyes, giving him a bath with medicated
shampoo, and giving him an oral medication as well. If your dog is
experiencing lesions on his feet (in extreme cases, this is possible),
your vet may recommend a specific topical medication to treat those
areas.
Depending on the time a puppy contracts this mite, he could have it
recur, even after successful treatment, up until the time his immune
system is up and running at full tilt. The key is to catch the symptoms
early and get treatment for your dog as soon as possible.
Joann Henry operates "Doggie Health Care" (www.DoggieHealthCare.com), which is a blog all about our beloved four legged family member's health. She loves to give away free stuff! If you sign up to receive her newsletter, not only will you get some free tips to keep your dog healthier, but FOR A LIMITED TIME, she'll give you a FREE e-book. For more information, please visit: www.DoggieHealthCare.com
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