How to treat mite skin disease in dogs

When you find that your dog, which used to have smooth and lively fur, starts scratching its body frequently, causing its fur to become rough and shed, and its skin to show symptoms such as redness and scabbing, it is likely that the dog has contracted mite skin disease. Watching the dog troubled by skin problems, feeling uncomfortable and helpless, as owners, we are filled with heartache and anxiety. Although mite skin disease in dogs is common, as long as we understand its causes and symptoms, and master scientific treatment methods, we can help dogs get rid of the pain and restore their past health and vitality.

Dog mite skin disease is mainly caused by mites such as Demodex mites and Scabies mites parasitizing on the surface of dog skin. These mites are small in size and difficult to detect with the naked eye, but they multiply in large numbers on dog skin, causing irritation, inflammation, and a range of discomfort symptoms. Puppies are more susceptible to mite skin diseases due to their underdeveloped immune system and weaker resistance. Dogs that live in damp and dark environments for a long time also provide a breeding ground for mites, increasing the risk of disease. In addition, dogs with malnutrition, lack of exercise, or contact with sick dogs can all be infected with mites.

The symptoms of mite skin disease are more obvious. In the early stages, dogs may only experience local skin itching and occasionally scratch or rub against furniture with their paws. As the condition progresses, the infected area may experience hair loss, rough skin, redness, papules, and possibly increased dandruff. If infected with scabies mites, the dog's ears, elbows, abdomen, and other skin folds will experience severe itching, and in severe cases, the skin will thicken, scab, and form a hard crust. Demodex mite infection often occurs on the face, eyelids, and legs of dogs. The affected areas may show depilation, erythema, and in severe cases, systemic infection, leading to extensive skin ulceration and the emission of unpleasant odors.

Once symptoms of mite skin disease are found in a dog, it is important to promptly take it to a pet hospital for diagnosis. Veterinarians usually use skin scraping to examine whether there are mites and their eggs under a microscope, in order to determine the type of mites and severity of the disease that dogs are infected with.

The key to treating mite skin diseases in dogs is medication. For dogs with mild infections, deworming drugs containing ingredients such as doramectin and ivermectin can be injected subcutaneously, which can effectively kill mites inside and outside the body. At the same time, in combination with topical medications such as ointments or washes containing ingredients such as terbinafine and ketoconazole, when applied to the affected area, they can directly act on mites on the surface of the skin, reducing inflammation and itching symptoms. When using topical medications, it is important to first shave off the dog's hair to expose the affected skin, then clean it with warm water and wait for the skin to dry before applying the medication. This can improve the absorption effect of the medication.

For dogs with more severe conditions, oral antibiotics may be necessary to prevent secondary infections, and corticosteroids may be used to alleviate inflammatory reactions. But the use of these drugs must be guided by a veterinarian, as they may have certain side effects, and excessive or improper use can cause harm to the dog's body.

In addition to medication treatment, daily care is also very important. To keep the living environment of dogs clean and dry, regularly clean and disinfect dog beds, toys, and other items to avoid the breeding of mites. You can place the dog kennel in a sunny place to dry, as ultraviolet radiation has the ability to kill bacteria and mites. Providing dogs with nutritionally balanced food, ensuring the intake of protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, enhances their immunity, and helps resist mite infections. In addition, it is necessary to reduce the contact between dogs and sick animals to avoid cross infection.

During the treatment process, dogs may frequently scratch their skin due to itching, leading to skin damage and exacerbating the infection. To prevent this from happening, you can put an Elizabeth ring on your dog, limit its range of movement, and prevent it from licking or scratching the affected area. At the same time, it is important to spend more time with the dog, provide care and comfort, make it feel the love of its owner, and alleviate its pain and anxiety.

Watching our dog gradually overcome the troubles of mite skin disease and become lively and cute again under our careful care, our hearts will also be filled with satisfaction. Dogs are our most loyal companions, and when they get sick, we should use love and professional knowledge to help them overcome the disease. Let's work together for the health of our dogs, so that they can always be by our side and spend every happy day together.