Dogs experience many different types of skin problems. Many of such irritations are caused by dog mites. Owners and handlers are usually of the opinion that such are caused by fleas and ticks but in reality are caused by such mites. These tiny little mites casue terrible itching and skin problems, not to mention excessive scratching. Mites are generally microscopic organisms which causes skin irritations to dogs when they penetrate the skin of the dog. They enter the body through various little hair follicles, oil glands which are mostly present on the epidermal layer of the skin.
Mites on dogs reduce the skin of the dog into a very shabby and rough skin in a matter of months. Such mites lead to various skin diseases, inflammations, hair loss, skin-irritations and in a few cases may even cause terminal diseases. It is reckoned that a small number of mites thrive in the body of dogs. The Immune system of the dogs generally prevents them from reproducing, but when the dog’s automatic immune system fails, the mites generally break out. Therefore, if your dog is scratching himself more than usual or he is just gnawing his paws too much he might be having these mites.
Types of Mites:
There are two types , they are as follows:-
Demodex Mites: -These are those breed of mites that causes a severe skin disease in dogs and are generally known as ‘canine demodicois’. Microscopic vermin such as these are generally white and oblong in there structure. Such vermin generally spend there entire lifecycle living in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the dog or bitch. They live on dead skin debris, sebum and cells. When a bitch with mites is giving birth, it usually transfers the mites to its puppies.
Sarcoptic mites: - These are popularly known as scabies. These generally are very easy to see once they are on a dog. They are more infectious and troublesome than are the demodex mites. They survive in the hair follicles and cause intense itching. This itching if goes unattended by veterinary medical personnel leads to extensive hair loss of the dog. Others such as the sarcoptic mites can also attack the skins of healthy puppies and dogs. Dry skins attract them. Such mites can also be transferred to humans and other mammals.
Walking Dandruff: - These are not as dangerous as the sarcoptic mites are, but are very big compared to them. They are so big in structure that they are almost visual in the naked eye.
These mites generally cause a white dandruff like pattern along the back of the dog. These types of mites share a similar feature with the Sarcoptic mites. They, like the Sarcoptic mites, can be transferred to humans and other mammals.
Symptoms: well, fortunately there are quite a number of symptoms that can helps us identify the ailment properly, like unexplained hair loss, skin abrasions and fissures of the skin starting to bleed. As the skin cracks and scabs start to appear on the skin, it also signifies the presence of the menace. Swelling up of skin and turning into red makes the same indication as well.
Proper care should be taken to get your beloved doggy get rid off this irritating ailment, as it has a massive potential to turn into a bigger mess.
A good dog shampoo will help a dog with scratching. While shampoo does not cure mites, it is to be used to provide healthy pet nutrients to dogs coat once the mite are gone.
