Skin mites live within the skin layers and in the hair follicles of dogs. They receive their nutrition from the dead hair and skin cells of the host animal and reproduce by laying their eggs under the epidermis (the first layer of skin). The two types of mites commonly diagnosed in dogs are called demodectic mange and sarcoptic mange. Demodex mites are found on the skin of most dogs, but do not become excessive and cause disease unless the animal's immune system has become compromised. Patients with demodex are usually young dogs that present with areas of alopecia (hair loss) and red, crusty patches on the skin. Sarcoptes mites (also called scabies) cause intense itching, and lesions will often show on the ears and trunk of the animal. An infected dog may have secondary bacterial skin infections because of constant scratching.
Things You'll Need
- Veterinary examination
- Skin scraping for diagnosis
- In-clinic parasitic whole body dips
- Prescribed oral antibiotics
- Nutritional supplements
Instructions
Diagnosis and Treatment
Take your dog to your veterinarian for a full examination. Do not bathe him or clean his ears before the appointment, as the vet will need to be able to find the parasites.
Ask the vet to perform a skin and ear scraping to microscopically diagnose the type of mite on your dog and prescribe the correct treatment.
Allow the veterinarian to bathe the entire dog in a parasitic dip. Do not rinse or towel dry the animal. Continue the dips over time until no more mites are found on the dog's skin or hair.
Administer any oral antibiotics prescribed by the veterinarian for any self-inflicted sores or scratches on the dog's body. Make sure to finish the entire prescription to avoid any possible skin infections.
Start your dog on nutritional supplements or vitamins if suggested by your vet. Adding extra nutrition to your animal's diet will boost his immune system.