Dermatitis Caused by Demodex
 
Description of the Disease and Clinical Picture
Demodex canis and Demodex cati are skin parasites that reside in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of dogs and cats and are part of the skin's normal microflora. An increase in the number of these parasites and the manifestation of clinical symptoms on the skin usually occur in animals with weakened immune systems or concurrent diseases. Breeds prone to demodicosis include: Shar Pei, Pug, West Highland White Terrier, Dogue, Bulldogs, Weimaraners, Airedale Terriers, Greyhounds, and Dobermans. Demodicosis has two clinical forms: localized and generalized. Localized demodicosis affects the animal's head, most commonly the areas around the eyes, lips, and muzzle. In affected areas, erythema, alopecia, scaling, and hyperpigmentation are observed. Secondary bacterial skin infections are common. In generalized demodicosis, lesions are diffusely spread, almost always accompanied by deep bacterial skin infection, and there are often disturbances in the animal's overall health condition.
 
Therapy
Diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of skin scrapings and detecting an increased number of adult or developmental forms of Demodex. Localized demodicosis usually resolves spontaneously, while the generalized form is most often treated with preparations containing isoxazolines. Secondary bacterial skin infection is treated with antibiotics according to an antibiogram.
 
Please contact our specialty veterinary ophthalmology hospital Animal Eye Consultants
of Iowa (animaleyeiowa@gmail.com) in USA or Oculus Veterinary Specialty Hospital
(oculusklinika@gmail.com) in Serbia, Europe to schedule an appointment so your pet
can be seen.