Canine Demodex Mites Symptoms

The symptoms of canine demodex mites mainly manifest on the skin, hair, and clinical examination. When a dog is infected, the skin produces a large amount of dandruff, thickens, and is accompanied by red spots, papules, and other symptoms. This skin damage can occur anywhere on the body, including the paws. Secondly, due to the damage to the dog's hair follicles by demodex mites, there will also be extensive hair loss. Finally, the worm can be directly observed under a microscope.

1. Skin

After a dog is infected with demodex mites, regardless of the frequency of bathing, there will be a large amount of silver-grey dandruff on the dog's skin. At the same time, the skin thickens and is accompanied by various red spots and papules. Because demodex mites stimulate the dog's skin when they are active in the hair follicles, infection with demodex mites can also cause severe itching. In the later stages of the disease, the dog's skin oils will secrete abnormally and emit a strong unpleasant smell.

1. Hair

When there are many demodex mites on a dog, the hair follicles will be destroyed, and in severe cases, they will necrose. In this case, the dog will experience extensive hair loss.

1. Clinical Examination

To diagnose dog demodex mites infection, a skin scrape examination is required. Under the microscope, visible longitudinally moving worm bodies can be observed. The shape of the sebaceous demodex mite is thick and short, with a slightly pointed end. The hair follicle demodex mite has a long shape, and the end is rounded.