Demodex mites cause disease in the skin of immune debilitated dogs.Demodexare species-specific, follicular mites that are found as a normal resident on most species of animals and in humans. Demodicosis is rare in the horse, uncommon in cats, goats, and cattle, and common in dogs. It is second to flea infestation in the frequency of canine ectoparasites. Although canine demodicosis is not contagious to humans, the disease is discussed because of its frequency of occurrence. There are milder, local form, and the generalized form. A specific subset is the chronic generalized demodex, which is seen in neglected and abandoned dogs, and is a serious illness to fight.

A several enthusiasts has been working on this investigation, with the original aim to help an abandoned dog, and then the rest of those who meet this problem. Many different therapies and recommendations made us irresolute, and so we decided to the wide research, with the help of mathematical tools that have not been used so far.

Fig. 1. The dog cured of chronic generalized demodicosis

犬蠕形螨病的治疗方法的疗效evaluated based on the systematic review of clinical trials published between 1980 and 2014. Studies were compared regarding conventional acaricides, which were most commonly used in the researches (sorted according to active substances: moxidectin, amitraz, doramectin, ivermectin and milbemycin oxime), their concentration, as well as interval and the way of application (spot-on, dips, orally or subcutaneous). Also, the number of patients involved and average age were recorded. The usage of systemic antibiotic and/or antibacterial shampoos is noted. Data of interest were the treatments outcome: the number of dogs that went into remission after the certain therapy, the number of animals not responding to treatment microscopically, average duration of therapy, the follow-up period after the therapy was discontinued, the number of patients with disease recurrence during the follow-up, the number of adverse effects and the number of animals with side effects. Dogs lost to follow-up or when the treatment was discontinued, due to various reasons not in connection with the therapy protocol, were not considered. The survey included 106 clinical trials enrolling 3414 cases of generalized demodicosis in dogs. Dogs entered the analysis were only the ones in which the disease occurred naturally, excluding the studies in which transplantation of demodex canis mites was done from other animals, as an inhumane procedure. Statistical and mathematical analyses were applied for prediction of the drugs` effectiveness. Good evidence for recommending the use of milbemycin oxime PO (0.5 mg/kg, daily) and moxidectin spot-on (Advocate^®, Bayer) weekly is found. A bit less effective showed therapies based on ivermectin PO (0.5 mg/kg, daily), moxidection PO (0.35 mg/kg, daily) and amitraz dips (0.05 % solution, weekly), respectively. It is important to keep in mind that Advocate^®is recommended by the manufacturer for use in milder cases.

The dog that has served as inspiration was cured of demodicosis exactly the way our research results showed: advocate has not helped, given the chronic and generalized stage of the disease (not monthly, bi-monthly, nor weekly implementation); milbemycin oxime is expensive concerning the conditions in Serbia and was not used; ivermectin subcutaneously, together with antibiotics, prednisone and improved nutrition has led to a remission that lasts for a year now (Fig.1).

Publication

The main factors influencing canine demodicosis treatment outcome and determination of optimal therapy.
Arsenović M, Pezo L, Vasić N, Ćirić R, Stefanović M
Parasitol Res. 2015 Jul

Read offline:

Related Articles:

	Adverse food reactions in cats: 1000 casesWholesome nutrition is the key to maintaining a healthy immune system and resistance to disease. Commercial foods given to animals may not be truly balanced in major nutrients, minerals and…
	Campylobacter antimicrobial resistance in dogs and humansCampylobacteriosis has been the most frequently reported zoonotic disease in humans in Europe since 2005, and the annual number of notified campylobacteriosis cases has increased in many European countries in…
	Is milk and meat from the offspring of a bull genome edited…Horns on cattle are an animal welfare and human safety concern, but most high producing dairy breeds grow horns. Introducing the polled (hornless) trait into the dairy population by crossbreeding…
	Is the ACTN3 gene a real “speed gene” in horses?The ACTN3 gene encoding α-actinin-3 in humans is considered to be a key factor in determining the predisposition to short- or long-term exercise (sprint or endurance). In addition, mutations within…
	Emerald Ash Borer attacks trees revealing early chemical…The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is a major global forest pest (a buprestid beetle) that has decimated ash trees (Fraxinus species) throughout Europe and Asia. Since this nonnative…
	Epigenetic phenotype diversification helps animals to adapt…There is increasing evidence that epigenetic phenotype variation can contribute to environmental adaptation, speciation and evolution. Epigenetic changes of the phenotype are caused by differences in gene expression rather than…