Common Disease Name:
Red mange, Follicular Mange, Demodex
Medical Term for Disease:
Demodicosis
Species Affected by Disease:
Age Animal Usually Affected:
Any, but most cases of localized demodex occur in young dogs around 3-6 months
Commonly Affected Breeds:
Any
Sex Usually Affected:
Both
Disease Symptoms:
Localized: Usually on young dogs, appears as patchy, 'moth-eaten' appearance of hair loss. Lesions are mild, red with light scales. One to several patches may be present. The most common site is the face, especially around the mouth and eyes. Patches may also be seen on the trunk and legs. It may or may not be itchy. Generalized: Seen on adult dogs of four or five years of age. Clinical signs begin with multiple areas of hair loss, scaling, and redness. These small areas get larger and progress to affect the entire body, causing severe irritation of the skin. Antibiotic resistant bacterial infections commonly occur as a result of the demodicosis -- making treatment almost impossible. After a few months, the skin may become covered with infected, pus-filled, crusty, bloody sores.
Method(s) of Diagnosis:
Skin scrapings are diagnostic - large numbers of mites in the majority of cases. Chronic lesions especially on the paw may need a skin biopsy.
Disease Causes:
The mite, Demodex canis, is a normal parasite of canine skin and is usually present in small numbers. The mite lives in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the skin. When the immune systems is healthy, the mites do not progress into disease, however, when immunity is compromised as in young puppies or dogs with underlying diseases, the mites grow into a high number of mites in the hair follicles which often leads to secondary bacterial infection.
Treatment:
Localized: Treatment of the localized form of the disease should be conservative. Most cases (90%) resolve spontaneously with no treatment. Amitraz (Mitaban) Ivermectin (Ivomec) and Milbemycin (Interceptor) at prescription doses and intervals will treat most cases. Generalized: Demodicosis in the adult dog is a frequent frustrating problem for the owner. The expense with a chronic problem is an issue. Many of these patients are medically controlled rather than cured. The general health status of dogs with the localized or the generalized form of the disease should be evaluated.
Prognosis:
Localized forms of
demodex in young dogs have a good cure rate. The prognosis for canine
demodicosis depends heavily on genetic, immunologic, and underlying diseases.
The prognosis for generalized demodicosis affecting adult dogs greater than two
years of age is poor for recovery; the disease may be controlled through
medication and therapies, but not always cured.
Complications:
Can progress to generalized mange, involving the whole body. If there is an underlying immune problem, the resistant infections and chronic infestation by the mites become difficult, if not impossible to treat.
Prevention:
This type of mange is not contagious, but is sometimes passed from mother to pup because of the puppy's weak immune system. Dogs with generalized mange should not be bred, as it can be genetic. Stress can also be a causative factor, and cases in young dogs which have cleared, may on occasion, reoccur after the stress of spay/neuter surgery.
Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:
Amitraz (Mitaban) Ivermectin (Ivomec) and Milbemycin (Interceptor), benzyl peroxide shampoos prior to dipping.
