Demodecosis in Dogs (Demodex Mange)

Demodicosis is the disease where there is increased numbers of the Demodex mite. It can occur in both dogs and cats, but dogs are much more commonly affected. Demodicosis affects 2 main groups of dogs – the young (juvenile onset) and the older dogs (adult onset). They are also divided into 2 subgroups depending on how severe the infection is (localized vs generalized demodicosis). 

Demodicosis is not contagious to humans or other pets.  

Localized

• Only one body area is affected (often around the eyes or mouth)
• Most will resolve with no treatment necessary. A small percentage will progress to a generalized infection. 

Generalized

• More than 3 areas involved or 2 or more body regions affected 

Juvenile onset

• Younger than 2 years old
• If the condition is generalized it can suggest a hereditary condition. 

Adult onset

• Older than 2 years old
• This can suggest an underlying immuno-suppressive disease is present.

Diagnosis:

• A gentle scraping of the skin is performed and the scraped material is placed on a glass slide to be examined under a microscope.

Treatment and monitoring:

• Antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection
• Antibacterial shampoos
• Once weekly injections for the treatment of the mites for at least 12 weeks
• Skin scrapes are repeated every 4 weeks
• The end point is reached 4 weeks past 2 negative skin scrapings.

i.e.: 4 weekly injections, scrape at injection number 4, if negative then continue another 4 weekly injections, scrape again at injection number 8, if negative then treat for another 4 injections then stop

Dogs will always start to look normal before end of treatment is reached. It is important to continue with treatment as these mites can still cause disease even if your pet has improved. If treatment is stopped too early, there is a high risk of the problem recurring.