Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
An update on the therapy of canine demodicosis.
- Journal:
- Compendium (Yardley, PA)
- Year:
- 2012
- Authors:
- Mueller, Ralf S
- Affiliation:
- Ludwig Maximilian University.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Canine demodicosis is a skin condition in dogs caused by too many Demodex mites, which can lead to hair loss, bumps, and crusty skin. Treatment options include a special rinse called amitraz, which can be used every two weeks, or oral medications like ivermectin and moxidectin. While these medications can be effective, they may cause side effects, especially in sensitive dogs. A safer alternative is milbemycin oxime, which can also help treat the condition. The outcome of treatment can vary, but milbemycin is generally considered a good option for managing this skin issue.
Abstract
Canine demodicosis, a disease caused by a proliferation of Demodex mites, typically leads to alopecia, comedones, follicular papules and pustules, scaling, and crusting. It may be treated with either amitraz rinses or macrocyclic lactones. Amitraz rinse is approved for application every 2 weeks at a concentration of 0.025%. Higher concentrations and more frequent applications increase the success rate but also increase the risk for adverse effects. Ivermectin is used at 0.3 to 0.6 mg/kg/d PO and moxidectin at 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg/d PO. Both drugs may cause adverse neurologic effects in sensitive dogs. Milbemycin oxime at 1 to 2 mg/kg/d PO is a safer treatment option. A weekly spot-on combination of 2.5% moxidectin and 10% imidacloprid is recommended for milder forms of the disease.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22488596/