 Mange
mites are microscopic bugs that live in the skin of your pet.
Demodex mange mites live in the hair follicles of your pet.
They can be present in small numbers in normal pets and the
immune system keeps them in check. In pets with stressed immune
systems, the mites may be able to multiply and thereby cause
clinical disease. Generally, we see this disease
in immature dogs, dogs with depressed immune systems as a result of
disease, hormonal disorders or drug therapy and sometimes in old
dogs whose immune systems have deteriorated naturally.
What are the symptoms of
Demodectic mange?
As the demodex mites multiply in the hair
follicles, inflammation occurs that results in the loss of the hair from
the follicle. Generally, this is not an itchy
disease and the owners simply notice areas of thinned hair or missing
hair. Frequently, we will see it first appear around the eyes and ears,
but it can occur anywhere on the body. Some pets
only get it in a few areas, where others have most of the body affected.
How do
we diagnose Demodex infestation?
This diagnosis is made by observing the mites or
their eggs under the microscope after obtaining a sample from a deep
skin scraping. The process of skin scraping may
cause a slight bit of bleeding at the site but is not dangerous.
Sometimes, we may not be able to find the mites despite multiple
scrapings. In some cases, we have to take a piece of
skin (biopsy) and send it to the lab for histopathology.
Is
demodex contagious to other pets or to people?
Demodectic mange mites do not spread to people
under any circumstance and to other pets under normal conditions.
The one exception is that the mother may pass the mites to the
offspring during and around birth. Therefore, one
may see a few puppies in the same litter develop the symptoms of mange.
How do
we treat mange:
Currently, we treat mange with Ivermectin.
This drug is given orally once daily for 6 to 12 weeks.
It is a very safe drug and has minimal side effects.
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We attempt to fortify the immune system by feeding high
quality food (typically Hill’s P/D diet) along with daily vitamins.
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We also add a supplement to the food called Derm Caps
which provides the essential fatty acids needed to help the skin heal.
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If the pet has a concurrent bacterial infection in the
skin, we administer antibiotics for a period of 2 to 6 weeks.
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For older pets that develop this disease, we typically run
tests to evaluate their metabolic function (kidneys, liver, white cells
etc) along with their thyroid function and sometimes their adrenal
function. .
How
successful is the treatment:
Fortunately, 90% of the pets that develop demodex
mange as puppies will improve and get over the disease with treatment
and aging. As they grow, their immune system matures
and can deal with the mange mites provided we support them with the
drugs above. For older pets that contract this
disease, the prognosis is quite variable. If we can
find and reverse the underlying problem that is depressing the immune
system, we have a much better chance of helping them than if we simply
try to treat the mites themselves.
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