Many people think that demodicosis is a disease of stray dogs, but in fact any animal can get infected regardless of place and mode of life. The outer manifestation is wounds and scabs on the skin, as well as loss of hair.
Nature of the disease
The causative agent of the disease is the Demodex mite , which is in limited numbers on the skin and hair follicles of all healthy animals. If the multiplication of parasites becomes uncontrolled, the mite begins to destroy the layers of the epithelium, the hair follicles and the sebaceous glands. Burning and itching is caused by the products of the vital activity of the parasite . Demodecosis in dogs requires a fairly long and gradual treatment. It is important to observe hygiene, conduct regular wet cleaning of the room where the animal is located, and also treat all with special preparations.
During the research it was proved that in the animal genes a predisposition to mite damage was born, so in many nurseries dogs that were ill with a severe form are sterilized to prevent the spread of the gene. In any case, the attack of the tick is only a consequence of another problem - a decrease in the immunity of the animal caused by diseases, a lack of vitamins, hormonal failures. Also, the reason for the attack of the tick can be a decrease in the tone of the skin in the winter and spring periods.
Forms and stages of the disease
Depending on what form demodecosis has in dogs, different methods of treatment are selected.
There is focal (in the animal there is a pinpoint lesion of the skin in small areas, most often on the head and forelimbs) and generalized (large areas are affected throughout the body with penetration into the skin, sometimes even into the internal organs) of the form of mite damage.
Often the focal form is observed in puppies during the change of teeth. Interestingly, at this age the disease does not require treatment and passes by itself (in 90% of cases), while using Amitraz can provoke the stability of the parasite to the drug, thereby causing the development of severe form (in 10% of cases), which is the cause of genetic inheritance.
Therapy
Thanks to the timely diagnosis of demodectic disease in a dog, treatment with modern drugs can achieve complete recovery of the pet. It is also very important in time to seek help from a veterinarian, which significantly increases the chances of success.
Experts strongly do not recommend conducting demodicosis treatment in dogs at home. In this case, the owners of dogs often resort to these methods, considering them more sparing and cheap, which leads to the neglect of the clinical case and the aggravation of the problem. Do not forget that the animal constantly feels an itch and painful sensations, therefore such actions are absolutely not humane. Many different recipes that are recommended for use in combating the disease are effective only in the initial stages. It should be borne in mind that the active reproduction of the tick is caused by the weakening of immunity, and therefore the main reason is not in the parasite itself.
Treatment lasts for several months and the animal is considered healthy only if no recurrences have been observed for 7-8 months.
Owners should take note that the treatment of demodicosis in dogs folk remedies does not bring a full result.