Skin Mites in Dogs

Mites are tiny insects that cause big-time itching in otherwise healthy dogs. Highly contagious, these microscopic pests can infect dogs, cats, horses and other domestic animals. Mites cause severe skin irritation, hair loss and inflammation and require veterinary examination and treatment for the fastest, most effective results. Diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of skin scrapings, and treatment usually involves the use of insecticidal dips, miticidal ointments and appropriate anti-parastic treatments.

  1. Ear Mites

    • Ear mites are more common in cats, but dogs can get them as well. Ear mites, known scientifically as Otodectes cynotis, live in and around the ear, feeding on the waxy buildup inside your dog's outer ear canal. Ear mites cause intense itching and head shaking. As your pet scratches and shakes, the ear becomes irritated and traumatized. The damaged tissues begin to secrete wound fluids that combine with earwax to form a crust black substance. In time, the ear canal can become blocked, reducing airflow and leaving your dog vulnerable to secondary bacterial and fungal infections.

    Sarcoptic Mange

    • Canine Scabies or sarcoptic mange is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. At first, scabies mites will attack areas with little hair like the elbows, ears, armpits, belly and chest. Left untreated, the condition may spread across the entire body. In some allergic dogs, scabies causes intense itching and the accompanying skin damage can be severe. Raised, red pustules are common, and these pustules may weep and form yellow, crusty patches. Long-term, untreated scabies causes thickened, wrinkled skin and can, in the most severe cases, be fatal.

    Demodectic Mange

    • Demodex canis mites live in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of most dogs. For reasons that are not entirely understood, some dogs have large populations of these mites and this causes a condition known as demodicosis, characterized by hair loss and skin inflammation. Heredity or a compromised immune system may be responsible for some cases. Demodicosis can be localized, affecting small patches of skin or generalized, affecting the entire body.

    Cheyletiella Mites

    • Cheyletiella yasguri mites cause a skin condition that is commonly known as "walking dandruff." The dandruff, in this case, is actually the mites walking on the dog's skin. Signs of Cheyletiella mites are usually seen along the back and spine of the dog. Cheyletiella mites can be spread to humans, so fast treatment may include members of the dog's human family as well as all other pets. Cheyletiella mites can be controlled and treated with most topical flea preparations.

    Trombiculosis

    • Dogs who live in heavily wooded areas are vulnerable to infection by the parasitic larvae of Trombiculidae mites. These mites live on rotting material and look like tiny spiders. When dogs walk through infested areas, the larvae attach, feed and drop off. These parasites look like small red dots on the skin of the head, ears, feet and belly. Trombiculosis causes typical mange symptoms including itching, scaling and crusty skin lesions, even after the larvae have dropped off the host.