Follicle Mites Treatment

Follicle mites are a type of mite found on the skin of all dogs. Puppies get the mites from their mothers when they are born. In most dogs, the immune system can keep the population of follicle mites under control, so that they never become a problem. However, in dogs with undeveloped or compromised immune systems, including puppies, the mite populations grow uncontrolled, resulting in what is referred to as demodectic mange.

  1. Definition

    • Follicular, or demodectic, mange is a skin condition caused by an overpopulation of the demodex mites, which live in the hair follicles.

    Symptoms

    • As dogs with follicle mite problems grow and their immune system develops, many times symptoms related to the mites disappear on their own. However, in the meantime, your puppy may be miserable, as demodectic mange can cause him to itch uncontrollably. Additionally, lesions may develop throughout the dog's body, which can result in infection. Thus, follicle mange must be treated.

    Diagnosis

    • The first step in treating demodex is verifying that this is indeed the problem. This is commonly done by taking a skin scraping, or biopsy, from your pooch. The skin is examined under a microscope. If mites, which look like tiny alligators, are present, and the dog has lesions consistent with this type of mange, then treatment for follicular mites can proceed.

    Treatment

    • There are various types of treatments for follicular mites. Your vet will choose a treatment based on the severity of the problem. Some common treatments are a 1 percent rotenone ointment and a 5 percent benzoyl peroxide solution. More resistant or generalized demodex may be treated with dips in a medicated solution called Amitraz or with injections and daily oral administration of Ivermectin, the active ingredient in various heartworm preventative medications on the market.

    Considerations

    • Many vets also recommend feeding dogs with follicle mite problems a high-quality dog food and a fatty acid supplement. Your vet may also give you a special shampoo to use, sprays to stop the itching, and antibiotics to stop any secondary infections that may be present. Lastly, older dogs with demodex should be checked for other, more serious medical problems like Cushing's disease, since these result in compromised immune systems.