Demodicosis

Description

An inflammatory parasitic disease of dogs and cats caused by Demodex. The mites are host-specific and can occur in dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses. There has to be increased numbers of immature mites to classify as an infestation. The mite is transmitted from dam to offspring during nursing. The mites live in hair follicles and infestation may lead to secondary bacterial infection and furunculosis.

Signalment

Commonly affects the dog and more rarely the cat.

Breed predilections Demodicosis is usually a disease of short haired dogs and is more common in pedigree breeds. Within dog breeds, the Staffordshire bull terrier, German Shepherd dog, Old English Sheepdog, Collies and dalmations are at risk. Additionally it has been reported that there is an increased incidence in Siamese and Burmese cats.

Age predilections Often animals less than 12 months of age of affected although adult onset is recognised.

Diagnosis

History and clinical signs will often indicate demodicosis. Following hair plucks and skin scrapings Demodex mites can be identified microscopically. In all cases of adult onset demodicosis a detailed history and medical investigation must be undertaken.

Clinical Signs

Crusting, hair loss, grey hyperpigmentation and plugged follicles are typical findings in animals suffering from demodicosis.

Dogs: May be localised or generalised in the dog.

Localised demodicosis: Typically seen in dogs 3-6 months of age and 90% of cases will heal spontaneously. Signs are of a mild non- pruritic alopecia in some cases erythema and a fine scale. Lesions are most commonly found on the head particularly around the periocular region and the forelimbs.

Generalised demodicosis: Most commonly occurs in dogs between 3-12 months of age. Can be widespread from the beginning and lesions can range from multiple poorly circumscribed areas of erythema, alopecia and scale to generalised pustules often resulting in rupture of the hair follicle (furunculosis). A lymphadenopathy and pyrexia are also common features of generalised demodicosis. Pododemodicosis can occur with the generalised form and can persist after other lesions have resolved or appear in isolation. This manifests as erythema and secondary infection of the feet.

Adult Onset Demodicosis: Can present as generalised disease or focal alopecia . Onset in adulthood is often associated with internal disease including (hyperadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism), immunosuppression or neoplasia. Long term use of glucocorticoids in the West Highland white terrier has been associated with adult onset demodicosis.

Cats: Often multifocal alopecia particularly of the eyelids, periocular region, head and neck. Erythema scale and crust may be present with varying degrees of pruritis. Otodemodicosis which manifests as an erythematous ceruminous otitis has also been reported in the cat.

Laboratory Tests

Haematology and Biochemistry may be useful in identifying an underlying cause in adult onset demodicosis.

Biopsy

Cutaneous biopsy may be necessary if lesions are chronic, granulomatous or fibrotic.

References

• Squamous demodecosis
  • Less serious
  • Dry reaction
  • Alopecia, desquamation and skin thickening
  • Absent to mild pruritus

• Follicular/pustular demodecosis
  • More serious
  • Skin invasion by staphylococci
  • Skin becomes wrinkled, thickened and contains pustules which ooze serum, blood or pus
  • Affected animals may be seriously disfigured
  • Severe pruritus is associated with secondary infection

• Immune factors are important in determining the severity and occurrence of demodecosis
  • Familial susceptibility
  • Immunosuppression
  • Immunosuppressant therapy

Diagnosis

• Liquid paraffin applied to a skin fold

• Deep skin scraping

Control

• Not easily accessible to acaricides due to their deep location in the skin

• Repeat treatments needed

• Recovery may take several months

• To aid acaricide penetration, clipping a dog's coat and washing is recommended

From Pathology

• Demodex are normal inhabitants of hair follicles and sebaceous glands
• Have to have increased number of immature mites to classify as infestation
• Host-specific
• Occurs in dogs, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and cats
• Transmits during nursing from dam to offspring
• Demodex canis in dogs:
  • Generalised or localised
  • Mainly young dogs affected or adults with other disease (hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism)
  • Often inherited in pure bred
  • Grossly:
    • Localised: scaly, erythematous, macular, alopecic areas; usually face or front legs
    • Generalised: large, coalescing lesions, patches, erythema, alopecia, scales, crusts
  • Microscopically:
    • Localised: lymphoplasmacytic perifolliculitis with hyperkeratinisation, sebaceous adenitis, low pigment, intraluminal mites
    • Generalised: perifolliculitis and follicular hyperkeratosis, follicular pluggingf, bacterial proliferation, bacterial neutrophilic folliculitis
      • May cause folliculat rupture -> furunculosis, cellulitis, lymphadenitis and septicaemia

Dogs

Cats

Cattle

Goats

Pigs

Sheep

Horses