Tuesday 21 October 2014

Fleas and pets: Mange

Mange in Dogs (Canine Scabies)

Sarcoptic mange ( Sarcoptes scabei ) is also known as canine scabies, caused by mites and fleas that are oval-shaped, light-colored and microscopic.
In dogs, it is caused by one of three microscopic mites: Cheyletiella, Demodex, or Sarcoptes. 
The female mites tunnel into areas a few millimeters under the dog’s skin and lay their eggs there. The eggs usually hatch within 3 to 10 days. The larvae develop into adults and begin to lay eggs of their own.
Each one causes a different type of mange, with each presenting with similar yet varying degrees of symptoms. You can cure mange in your dog by employing a number of different treatments, such as medications, dips and baths.

All dogs and cats raised normally by their mothers possess demodectic mange mites (Demodex canis ), which are transferred from mother to pup via cuddling during the first few days of life.
Most dogs live in harmony with their mites, never suffering any consequences.

TYPES:

Localized;

Localized cases occur when these mites proliferate in one or two small, confined areas.
This results in isolated scaly bald patches-usually on the dog's face-creating a polka-dot appearance. Localized demodicosis is considered a common
ailment of puppyhood, and approximately 90% of cases resolve with no treatment of any kind.

Generalized demodectic

 
Generalized demodectic mange, in contrast, affects larger areas of skin or a dog’s entire body. Secondary bacterial infections make this a very itchy and often Generalized demodectic skin disease.
This form of mange could also be a sign of a
compromised immune system, hereditary problem, endocrine problem or other underlying health issue. Treatment depends on the age at which the dog
developed the disease.

Pododermatitis (Mange of the Paws)
Mange (demodex) of your pet's feet (paws) can be a localized infection or part
of a generalized infection. Pododermatitis is common in dogs with Bulldog
genetics.

Symptoms of Mange
♠Some pets scratch until they develop bacterial infections along with demodex infections. The hair falls out and bald spots develop.
♠Bald patches, especially around the eyes, mouth, elbows, and front legs are common. The skin may be rough and dry and is referred to as lichenoid.
Itching, bald patches especially around eyes and mouth.
♠Itching, bald lesions on legs and body that progress to cover entire body.
♠Thick ear discharge, especially in cats.
♠Leathery skin.

※※Many pets that develop demodex infections have other serious infections or disease. which can range from cancer and poorly functioning thyroid glands to heartworm infections and intestinal worms .
In pets with high white blood counts, veterinarians look for co-existing fungal infections such as blastomycosis or cryptococcosis.

PREVENTION
A proactive approach is the only way to prevent mange.
For a proactive approach to pest management, treat your pets monthly with flea and tick topical solutions and baths, etc).
Baths with medicated shampoos usually kill the mites and repel them, but the dogs' environment should be fumigated.
While baths with medicated shampoo will kill the fleas, topical solutions such as Frontline, Advantix or Advantage will be absorbed into the skin, kill the fleas, the hatched larvae and the eggs buried in the skin.
These treatments also help in preventing spread of fleas by killing larvae and eggs in the dogs' environment.

♠♠NEVER EVER EVER EVER APPLY TOPICAL FLEA MEDICATIONS LABELED FOR
DOGS ONTO A CAT!!!♥♥

TREATMENT

Using Ivermectin injection for Demodectic Mange
Ivermectin is one of the few medicines that vets regularly prescribe for dogs with demodectic mange.
The drug is easy to administer, and results are usually seen within a short period of time.
For dogs, two of the most popular products are ‘Ivomec’ or ‘Heartgard’, both of which are marketed as parasite control drugs.
They affect skin parasites and several others that inhabit the bloodstream of the dog, such as heartworms. Incidentally, it is also used to prevent heartworm infestations in dogs as well, although that’s not its primary purpose.
Firstly, it disables the nervous systems of the mites, effectively paralysing them. Then, it manipulates the dog’s white blood cells into attacking the mites and killing them.
In this way, the mites will no longer cause further skin damage to the dog’s body. So long as the drug remains in the body, the demodectic mange will be kept away indefinitely.

A minor note about Ivermectin: it doesn’t affect unhatched demodex mites still in their eggs. Therefore, more than one dose of Ivermectin is required to completely eradicate the mites from the body.

Using topical solutions

Topical solutions like Advantix or Frontline help with the localized mange.
They kill the larvae under the skin, the eggs layed are destroyed and the adult fleas are killed and repelled.
Some solutions also help in "fumigation" by repelling fleas in the dogs' environment eg the yard or carpet, and toys; and even adjacent mammals they encounter eg mice.

source:
http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/mange-dogs-canine-scabies
http://m.1800petmeds.com/mt/http://www.1800petmeds.com/education/mange-symptoms-dog-cat-9.htm
http://dogskintreatments.com/articles/demodectic-mange/ivermectin-for-demodectic-mange-explained/



No comments:

Post a Comment

like and share..

Tweet Tweet...