Demodicosis In Dogs
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
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We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Demodicosis in Dogs is an inflammatory disease that is caused by mites.
If the number of mites in the dog’s hair follicles increase rapidly, it can lead to skin infections, hair loss, and skin lesions.
While the mite infestation results in unsightly symptoms, affected dogs do not need to be isolated from other pets.
Commonly referred to as demodectic mange or red mange, the disease can be either localized or generalized.
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Localized Demodicosis
Localized demodicosis will typically occur early in a dog’s life, usually from three to seven months old.
Localized demodicosis is usually treatable and mild.
Most of the cases will clear up on its own, but there are some dogs where it does progress to generalized demodicosis.
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Generalized Demodicosis
Generalized demodicosis will usually occur in older dogs and is a result of an underlying disease that negatively affects a dog’s immune system.
Generalized demodicosis is harder to cure and will not always respond to treatment.
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Symptoms of Demodicosis
The symptoms in both localized and generalized are similar, but with generalized demodicosis, the symptoms are more severe and widespread throughout the dogs’ body.
The usual signs are the following:
- Thinning hair
- Red, scaly skin
- Localized cases affect trunk, legs, and face
- Generalized cases can affect the entire body
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
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Causes of Demodicosis
These mites do not cause any harm and are, in fact, an important part of our dog’s normal skin.
Yet, when dogs have either underlying disease or a weakened immune system, the mites can start to multiply in large numbers.
And this is what can cause the demodectic mange and/or itchy skin.
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Diagnosing Demodicosis
Other tests might be ordered to find out the severity of the condition, whether it is generalized and therefore an underlying condition is causing the demodicosis.
Demodicosis Treatment
While these cases should be observed, more often than not, no treatment is necessary.
Generalized cases, however, are usually treated with an oral or topical medication to fight off the mites. Antibiotics may be prescribed if a secondary infection has set in.
If your dog was unable to fight off the mites due to an immune disorder or other underlying condition, your vet would also need to treat that condition.
Long-term medication could be necessary for severe cases.
It has been suggested that spayed females have a lesser chance of getting the disease.
A low-stress environment and good, high-quality dog food can also help reduce the likelihood of more flare-ups of demodicosis.
Flea and tick medicine are usually recommended for long-term treatment. The frequency of the dose depends on the severity of the disease as well as the brand that is chosen.
But, typically, it can be accomplished with one chewable tablet every 4 to 6 weeks for mange.
Your dog will need to be rechecked regularly in cases of generalized demodicosis to make sure the treatment is working. This is usually done with skin scrapings and/or blood work depending on what had caused the condition.
Prescription medications are covered under many pet insurance plans and yet another benefit of having pet insurance.
Healthy Paws, for example, includes prescription medications under all of their plans, which can really save money in the long run with cases that need on-going treatment.
There are also pet insurance plans with wellness options that can help pay for regular checkups and routine procedures that keep your dog healthy for the long-haul, which is the best defense against the recurrence of the condition.
The typical cost of treatment is $65 to $100 and in some cases will be continued throughout the dog’s life.
Prevention of Demodicosis
A good, high-quality diet, regular vet visits, and a clean-healthy environment can help keep demodicosis from ever occurring.
Demodicosis is not contagious to other dogs, cats or even humans.
Dogs that are known to have long-term generalized demodicosis should not breed as the disease is easily passed to their offspring.
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Management
This is usually done with a skin scraping.
For dogs that have chronic or long-term cases, there might be a need for on-going medication.
Your vet will keep your dog on the prescribed medication even several weeks after there aren’t any mites visible to make sure the treatment has been effective.
Dogs with a history of mange are usually kept on flea and tick medication that fights off mange for the duration of their lives.
Most dogs will have a full recovery, especially puppies when they have demodectic mange.
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What is Demodicosis in Dogs, as mentioned in the content?
Demodicosis in Dogs is an inflammatory disease caused by mites. It can lead to skin infections, hair loss, and lesions if the mite infestation increases rapidly. It can be localized or generalized, commonly known as demodectic mange.
Is Demodicosis in Dogs contagious to other pets or humans?
No, Demodicosis is not contagious to other dogs, cats, or humans.
What are the symptoms and causes of Demodicosis in Dogs?
Symptoms include skin infections, hair loss, and lesions. The mites causing demodectic mange are generally harmless, but when dogs have underlying diseases or weakened immune systems, mites multiply, leading to the condition.
How is Demodicosis diagnosed and treated in dogs?
Diagnosis involves skin scrapings and other tests to determine severity. Treatment varies, with localized cases often resolving on their own. Generalized cases may require oral or topical medications, antibiotics, and long-term management.
Can pet insurance cover the costs of Demodicosis treatment?
Yes, pet insurance plans, like Healthy Paws, may cover prescription medications and treatment costs. Regular checkups and wellness options can also be beneficial for long-term care.
How can Demodicosis in Dogs be prevented?
Prevention involves a high-quality diet, regular vet visits, and a clean, healthy environment. Spaying females and using flea and tick medicine are recommended for long-term prevention.
What is the purpose of the “Management” section in the content?
The “Management” section discusses the ongoing care for dogs with chronic or long-term Demodicosis, including skin scrapings, medication, and the use of flea and tick prevention throughout their lives.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.