A dog’s existence can be made extremely uncomfortable by ticks, fleas, lice and mites. These small parasites that live on the dog’s fur and skin will cause not only immense discomfort. The pet’s constant scratching and biting of the skin can develop into serious skin concerns. The dangerous pathogens these parasites carry can lead to the development of diseases that would affect not only dogs but humans as well.
Mites are one of the annoying parasites of dogs. There are several kinds of mites that can infest the dogs. Mange is a persistent skin disease that is caused either by Sarcoptes or Demodex mites. Sarcoptic mange is a highly transmissible skin disease that will cause the dog immense itching. Once the mites have found another host they will settle on body parts less covered with hair and live on the top layer of the dog’s skin. Demodectic mange is a less serious skin disease as it is not transmissible and does not cause immense itching. Mites that area passed on by the mother dog to the puppies will stay and live on the hair follicles and sebaceous glands.
Walking dandruff is a dog skin disease that is caused by the hook-mouthed mite known as Cheyletiella. These hook-mouthed miles will live on the surface of the dog’s skin and cause severe itching. A dog that has walking dandruff can easily infect an entire kennel as this is a highly contagious disease. Otodectic mange is an ear condition in dogs that is caused by Otodectes cynotis mites. An ear mite infestation can result to more serious health concerns. Thousands of mites on the dog’s ears would cause severe itching so that the continuous scratching and shaking of the head can cause permanent hearing loss.
Mite control medications are widely available thus the infestation can be resolved easily. Medicated dips, shampoos and soaps used in bathing as well as topical ointments will alleviate the discomfort of the pet, reduce itching and restore the admirable appearance of the coat. Vets would usually give infected dogs weekly injections of dog-safe insecticides to kill the parasites. Resolving ear mite infestation is easy as ear drops that is applied and massaged to the inner and outer ear will smoother and kill the mites. Regular grooming that involves daily brushing and ear cleaning would be important in resolving the mite infestation.
With the availability of treatments, resolving any kind of mite infestation is no longer a problem these days. As always prevention would always be better than cure and parasite infestations can be prevented by grooming the pet regularly.
Read more about dog grooming at Sarah’s Dogs.
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