ABSTRACT

Dogs are the most preferred pet animal in the world. Canine demodicosis is a skin disease of dogs in which there is proliferation of Demodex canis, an acarine parasite of canine hair follicles, and is typically manifested by alopecia as well as inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Secondary bacterial infection often induces pustule and a crusting dermatitis. Two years ago, a police dog eight years old, without any previous health problem, was brought to a private veterinary clinic for edematous and inflammatory lesions on the soles of its feet. In the clinic, antibacterial and antimicotics were applied for treatment of the lesions, but ten months after completion of the therapy the lesions relapsed and the treatment was repeated. But again six months after the last treatment, the lesions spread widely and the general health status of the dog began to worsen. Finally the dog was brought for treatment to the Izmir Bornova Veterinary Research Institution. Microscopic examination of all the skin scrapings revealed the presence of 10‐15 adult Demodex mites per cm2 and the diagnosis was pododemodicosis. Treatment was performed with ivermectin, antibacterial drugs and beta‐glucan. The density of Demodex was reduced after two months of therapy and there was clinical and microscopical improvement. Six months after completion of the therapy the lesions disappeared completely.

Keywords: Demodex spp., dog, treatment