How to tell if your dog has mites?

When we stroke our dog's soft fur and notice that it scratches its body frequently or that there are abnormalities on its previously smooth skin, we can't help but feel worried. Mites, those tiny creatures that are almost invisible to the naked eye, can cause quite a bit of trouble for our dogs. Determining whether a dog is infected with mites is not only crucial for its health but also an important manifestation of our care as owners. Understanding the relevant knowledge about mite infections and learning to detect abnormalities from subtle signs can help us solve our dogs' problems in a timely manner.

To determine if a dog has mites, we first need to understand the types of mites and their characteristics. The common mites on dogs mainly include Sarcoptes scabiei, Demodex mites, and ear mites. Sarcoptes scabiei are tiny and round in shape, and they prefer to parasitize in the thin and tender areas of a dog's skin, such as the elbows, ears, abdomen, etc. They feed on skin tissues and lymph fluid and dig tunnels on the skin surface, causing intense itching and an inflammatory response. Demodex mites live in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of dogs. Under normal circumstances, a small number of Demodex mites are in a balanced state with the body on the surface of the dog's skin. However, when the dog's immunity decreases, Demodex mites will multiply in large numbers, leading to skin infections. Ear mites mainly parasitize in the dog's ear canal. They have special suckers on their feet that can firmly attach to the wall of the ear canal. They feed on skin debris and tissue fluid, often causing inflammation and itching in the dog's ears.

Observing the dog's skin condition is an important basis for judging whether it is infected with mites. If a dog is infected with Sarcoptes scabiei, red spots will initially appear at the infected area. These red spots are usually small and dense, like tiny red spots that suddenly appear on the skin. As the condition progresses, the red spots will gradually turn into papules, and the skin surface will become rough and uneven. The dog will keep scratching and biting the affected area due to the severe itching, resulting in skin damage, scabbing, and hair loss. In severe cases, there will be large areas of hair loss at the infected site, exposing the red skin, and it may even suppurate and ulcerate due to secondary bacterial infections. When we see a dog with smooth fur originally having patches of baldness, and its skin becoming red, swollen, and ulcerated, our hearts are filled with distress and self-blame, wishing we could immediately help it get rid of the pain.

If a dog is infected with Demodex mites, the symptoms are different. In the initial stage, red follicular papules the size of the tip of a needle will appear at the infected area. As the condition worsens, these papules will gradually expand to form small nodules, and the skin surface will become oily with a large amount of dandruff falling off. Unlike Sarcoptes scabiei infections, the itching symptoms caused by Demodex mite infections are relatively mild, but they will lead to obvious hair loss and pigmentation of the skin, seriously affecting the dog's appearance. We will find that the dog's hair becomes sparse, and its originally beautiful coat loses its luster, just like a piece of silk that has lost its sheen, which really makes us feel pained.

Abnormalities in the ears are also the key to determining whether a dog is infected with ear mites. A dog infected with ear mites will shake its head and scratch its ears frequently in an attempt to relieve the itching in the ears. When carefully observing the dog's ear canal, we will find tan or black secretions in the ear canal. These secretions are dry in texture, like scabs, and accumulate in the ear canal. As the infection worsens, the ear canal will become red, swollen, and inflamed, and there may even be an unpleasant odor. When we gently open the dog's ear and see the dirty secretions inside and the red and swollen ear canal causing the dog great pain, our desire to clean and treat it immediately becomes even stronger.

In addition to the symptoms on the skin and ears, the dog's behavior and physical condition can also reflect whether it is infected with mites. A dog infected with mites will become restless and have unstable emotions due to long-term suffering from itching. A dog that was originally gentle may become irritable and resist when the owner touches the infected area. At the same time, a mite infection will also affect the dog's sleep quality. Frequent scratching and itching make it difficult for them to fall asleep, and even if they do fall asleep, they are easily awakened. Long-term lack of sleep will cause the dog to be listless, lose its appetite, and gradually lose weight. We will find that a dog that was once lively and enthusiastic about food becomes listless and loses interest in its favorite toys and delicious food, which makes us very distressed and eager to find the cause and help it regain its former vitality.

If we suspect that our dog is infected with mites, we must not make self-judgments and use medications on our own. Because the symptoms of mite infections sometimes resemble those of other skin diseases, such as fungal skin diseases and allergic dermatitis. Incorrect judgments and medications may delay the treatment and increase the dog's suffering. At this time, we should take the dog to a pet hospital in a timely manner and let a professional veterinarian make a diagnosis. The veterinarian will accurately determine whether the dog is infected with mites and the type of infection through methods such as skin scraping examination and microscopic observation. During the examination process, the dog may be nervous and uneasy. We can stay by its side, gently stroke it, comfort and encourage it, and tell it not to be afraid and that we will always be with it.

Although mite infections can cause pain to dogs, as long as we detect them in a timely manner and treat them correctly, the dogs can recover their health. In daily life, we should do a good job in prevention. Regularly deworm the dog, keep the dog's living environment clean and hygienic, often wash the dog's bedding, toys, and other items, and disinfect them. At the same time, it is also important to enhance the dog's immunity. Provide the dog with a nutritionally balanced diet, ensure sufficient exercise and rest, so that they have a healthy body to resist the invasion of mites.

Dogs are our most loyal companions in life, and they accompany us with unconditional love. When they are troubled by mites, we should rely on professional knowledge and careful observation to detect problems in a timely manner and give them the warmest care and the most effective treatment. Every time we check the dog's body and every time we take it to see a doctor, we are safeguarding this precious relationship.