An inflammatory parasitic disease of dogs and cats caused by [[Demodex]]. Rarely also affects horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
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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. They live in hair follicles and infestation may lead to secondary bacterial infection and furunculosis.
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The mites live in hair follicles and infestation may lead to secondary bacterial infection and furunculosis.
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==Pathogenesis and epidemiology==
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*[[Demodex|''Demodex'']] are normal inhabitants of hair follicles and sebaceous glands but have to have increased number of immature mites to classify as an infestation. .
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*Transmits during nursing from dam to offspring
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*''Demodex canis'' in dogs:
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**Generalised or localised
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**Mainly young dogs affected or adults with other disease ([[Adrenal Glands - Pathology#Adrenal Hyperfunction|hyperadrenocorticism]], [[Thyroid Gland - Pathology#Hypothyroidism|hypothyroidism]])