Skin diseases are very common in dogs. We know of pyoderma, caused by the presence of an infectious bacterium, mange, or leishmaniasis, which are parasitic diseases such as demodicosis…
What is demodicosis?
Demodex canis is a mite that causes a parasitic disease in dogs known as demodicosis. The dog’s body regulates the number of these parasites present in its skin, but when it fails to control them, the parasites multiply and create dermatitis, skin inflammation that leads to hair loss and bacterial superinfections. The dog’s demodex parasites feed on the sebum present on the skin.
It is important to know that 85% of dogs carry this parasite asymptomatically, but it is imperative to treat the dog when the symptoms become severe. Predisposition to Demodex parasites in dogs is often hereditary. However, canine demodicosis is not contagious, neither to other dogs nor to humans.
What are the symptoms of canine demodicosis?
Dogs with a deficient or weakened immune system due to another illness are more susceptible to demodicosis. Symptoms of dry canine demodicosis are characterized by hair loss and the presence of dandruff. Red patches or simply reddish areas appear on the skin. They may be localized in certain parts of the dog’s body, such as around the lips (alopecia) and face, or spread over the entire skin surface. Itching is not necessarily observed.
In addition to red patches and hair loss in dogs, certain external signs alert us. The dog is lethargic, tired, dehydrated, and underweight. There is a noticeable loss of appetite and energy. Canine demodicosis can lead to kidney failure.
Suppurative canine demodicosis is the bacterial infection of dry demodicosis. Lesions and crusty sores appear on the skin over the entire body. If left untreated, the suppurative disease can lead to the animal’s death. To confirm the contamination, the veterinarian performs skin scrapings at the lesion sites to observe the demodex on the dog under a microscope.
With weak immune defenses, puppies are more easily infected by Demodex during nursing with their mother, who may have been an asymptomatic carrier of the parasite. However, some dog breeds are known for having atopic skin, which means they are prone to inflammatory skin manifestations, making them more susceptible to the infection: the Shar-Pei, Beagle, Boxer, Westie, Scottish Terrier, Dachshund, Chow-Chow, Dalmatian, Great Dane, German Shepherd, and Weimaraner.
