Demodex canis (1) Flashcards
What is the host?
Dogs
How do you identify?
Up to 400 micro m
Elongate tapering body
4 pairs of stump legs
“Cigars with legs”
Explain the life cycle
Entire life cycle (Adult, egg, larva, nymph) takes place in hair follicles and sebaceous glands
Neonates typically acquire from dam
- Direct skin to skin contact
Egg to adult - 2-4 weeks
What are the sites of infestation?
Hair follicles
Sebaceous glands
Describe the Pathogenesis
Normal fauna on skin
- Excessive mite proliferation results in canine demodicosis
Localized demodicosis
Generalized demodicosis
Describe localized demodicosis
Erythema
No Pruritis - head and limbs
Mild - head and limbs
Patchy alopecia - head and limbs
Develops in puppies
Describe generalized demodicosis
Characterized by 5 or more areas of localized disease or entire body region, hair sparse and skin coarse or dry, develops to “red mange”
Concomitant staphylococcal pyoderma develops
Pustules develop, open and ooze
Very difficult to cure
Moderate to severe
Overgrowth of mites
Underlying systemic disease or immune defect
Alopecia - involve several large coalescing areas
Erythema (“red mange”)
Secondary pyoderma
Requires treatment
How do you diagnose?
Deep skin scrapings
Hair plucks
Mites are normal inhabitants so presence does not indicate disease
How do you treat and prevent?
Generalized demodicosis may require extended, aggressive therapy
- Comprehensive treatment
- Effective miticide
- Evaluation for any underlying disorders
- Appropriate treatment of underlying conditions (antibiotics for
pyoderma)
- Spaying females to prevent recurrence during the subsequent
heat cycles
- Several months of treatment may be required
- Continued 1-2 months after mites are no longer detected
on skin scrape
- Amitraz dip every 2 weeks
- Various MCLs
What are the common names?
Follicle mite
Demodectic mange mite
