Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Greasy skin and hair from Demodex mites in wirehaired fox terriers
By Ordeix, Laura et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2009·Studio Dermatologico Veterinario, Italy·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Demodex injai infestation and dorsal greasy skin and hair in eight wirehaired fox terrier dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Eight wirehaired fox terrier dogs were brought in with greasy skin and hair, which was caused by an infestation of Demodex injai mites. The vets confirmed the presence of these mites through skin tests and treated seven of the dogs with oral ivermectin over 2 to 7 months. While four dogs had their greasy skin completely resolve, two showed partial improvement, and one still had the condition. Even after the mites were gone, some dogs continued to have skin issues, suggesting that the greasy skin might not solely be due to the mites.
People also search for: dog greasy skin treatment · wirehaired fox terrier skin problems · ivermectin for dog mites
Abstract
Demodex injai mites were detected on trichoscopic examinations and/or deep skin scrapings in eight wirehaired fox terrier dogs with dorsal greasy skin and hair. Histological examination performed in five dogs revealed marked sebaceous gland hyperplasia with lympho-plasmacytic periadnexal dermatitis in all of them. One mite section was observed in one patient. Seven dogs were parasitologically cured after 2 to 7 months of oral ivermectin treatment. Greasy skin and hair resolved in four dogs, was partially reduced in two dogs and persisted in the remaining dog. Skin biopsies were repeated after parasitological cure in two dogs and revealed the persistence of sebaceous gland hyperplasia with mild lympho-plasmacytic periadnexal dermatitis and no parasites. Based on the findings in this case series, the terrier dog breed might be at increased risk for the development of D. injai mite infestation associated with dorsal greasy skin and hair, and microscopically with sebaceous gland hyperplasia. Persistence of sebaceous gland hyperplasia after parasitological cure in some patients suggested that this histological finding may not always be resulting from Demodex infestation. Moreover, low numbers of adult mites and variable clinical responses to acaricidal therapy suggested a contributory rather than a major role of D. injai in this skin condition. Dermatopathological diagnosis of sebaceous gland hyperplasia, particularly in case of dorsal trunk specimens from terrier dog breeds, warrants the search for D. injai mites on trichoscopic examinations and/or deep skin scrapings.
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 on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19659538/