Demodecosis is caused by endoparasitic ticks of the suborder Trombidiformes of the family Demodacia of the genus Demodex. As a rule, the disease manifests itself in the form of hyperkeratosis, dermatitis and progressive cachexia. Demodecosis in dogs causes the causative agent Demodex canis. The most susceptible are the following breeds of dogs: boxers, toy terriers, dwarf pinchers, East European shepherds. Demodecosis in dogs is recorded most often between the ages of 6 months. up to two years.
This parasitic disease can also affect people. The most susceptible to the disease are young, fair-haired women. There are also factors that contribute to the development of demodicosis - stress of various etiologies, emotional imbalance, aggression. Demodecosis in cats is caused by D. cati and D. gatoi.
Ticks of the genus Demodex are very similar in morphological indicators. They have a fusiform body shape. The color of the mature individuals is light gray. In ticks, sexual dimorphism is manifested (females exceed the size of males). Females lay their eggs, within four to six days a larva emerges from them, which undergoes a series of transformations and in a month a sexually mature parasite (imago) forms.
Pathogens are localized in the hair follicles, as well as in the sebaceous glands, where they form huge colonies. It should be said that these ticks cannot live long outside the host's body (up to 10 days). Sometimes in animals diagnosed with demodicosis in dogs, parasitic ticks are found in the intestinal walls, lymph nodes, liver parenchyma, kidneys and spleen.
Demodecosis in dogs: symptoms.
The disease occurs in mild (scaly) and severe (pustular) forms. In the initial stages of development of demodicosis, ticks settle in the skin of the superciliary arches, cheeks, lips, neck, and then in other parts of the body. Pathogens intensively develop and multiply in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. In this case, demodexes can cause atrophy of the sebaceous glands, which leads to a violation of the basic functions of the skin. In the body of the animal, a significant part of the products of the vital activity of ticks accumulates. At the same time, metabolic products contribute to the development of microflora. A characteristic sign of the vital activity of demodexes is hair loss, hyperemia of the skin, which thickens over time, becomes covered with scales, often cracks, and a timbre appears on its surface. Itching of the skin is mild. The manifestation of clinical symptoms contributes to a decrease in the immunity of the animal.
The pustular form is characterized by the formation of tubercles, which contain products of inflammation, second microflora, and, of course, ticks. Demodecosis in dogs in this case manifests itself as redness of the skin. Animals die from exhaustion and sepsis.
Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms. An additional method is a microscopic examination of the contents of the tubercle. To do this, the specialist takes a scraping from the damaged areas of the skin, and also conducts a study of hairs. It takes no more than twenty minutes to establish a diagnosis.
Treatment is carried out only after a diagnosis is established. Animals with a generalized form of the disease are offered to be sterilized.
The effectiveness of treatment, as a rule, depends on the stage of development of demodicosis. The treatment regimen for demodicosis depends on the clinical signs and form of the disease. Antiparasitic (Baymek, Ivomek with active principle ivermectin, chlorhexidine, amitase, cidectin, milbemycin, metaflumizone, amitraz, triatox) and antiallergic drugs are used for treatment. The treatment period for demodicosis is about a year. When the process is complicated by a bacterial infection, antibiotic therapy is carried out (conventions, amoxiclav, sinulox).