Many pet owners are concerned about mites on dogs. Dandruff, itchiness, and hair loss are common issues that plague dogs. Still, there’s no single reason behind these signs. However, dog mites can be one of the major causes here to consider.
People are usually unaware of the different types of mites on dogs. So, here we have put together a comprehensive guide about different types of mites on dogs and how you can prevent these.
So, here we go:
What are mites on dogs?
Dog mites are tiny creatures that are 1 mm in size. These can burrow into a dog’s skin and cause irritation and inflammation. In other words, mites on dogs are parasites. Therefore, mites in dogs can make them suffer from skin problems such as hair loss or dry skin.
Mites can sometimes live in the ears or fur of dogs and lead to a canine skin problem called mange.
Dog mites are one of the most common health problems in dogs. These can cause discomfort in the life of dogs.
As a dog owner, you must learn about the types of mites on dogs and how you can keep them from having these.
Different types of mites on dogs
There are different types of mites on dogs. Let’s get to know about these below:
Otodectes Cynotis Mites (Ear Mites)
Otodectes cynotis, aka ear mites, are surface mites. These attack the ears of your dog and cause severe itchiness. Dogs or puppies who intermingle with outdoor cats are the common victims of Otodectes Cynotis mites.
You can suspect Otodectes Cynotis mites if:
You witnessed your dog scratching his ears constantly.
Your dog keeps shaking his head vigorously.
There is dark dirt inside his ear’s flaps.
You experience an unpleasant odor from your dog’s ear.
Ear mites’ infestation can also allow a secondary yeast or bacterial infection to occur in your dog’s ear. Using a microscope, your vet can confirm the presence of ear mites by examining a sample from a dog’s ear canal. Here is more information on ear mites in dogs.
Topical medications and prescription ear drops are the most common ear mites treatments.
Sarcoptes scabiei mites
Sarcoptes scabiei mites burrow into the skin of your dog. Certainly, this, though, is giving you creepy crawlies. However, the thing is even worse for dogs as this condition will give them an endless itching sensation.
If you have noticed that your dog is scratching more often than usual, you must take it for examination.
Itching, more specifically, happen around the armpits or groin. Hair loss and red skin are the other common symptoms of Sarcoptes scabiei mites’ infestation.
Infestation of Sarcoptes scabiei mites can cause sarcoptic mange, aka scabies.
Unluckily, this infection can also pass from dogs to humans quite easily. Sarcoptic mange infects about 300 million people yearly. Confirming the infestation of Sarcoptes scabiei mites can be harder, as these live within the skin of dogs.
Your vet will take a skin scraping to examine under a microscope. They will recommend you certain medications as per the condition of your dog. Heartworm medicine is one of the most common treatments vets usually describe for this type of mite in dogs.
Demodex Mites
Demodex mites are considered a normal inhabitants of the skin of your dog. These mites are parasitic and can attach to the hair follicles of your dog’s coat and cause associated signs. They generally pass to the pups from a female dog during nursing.
These mites are popular for causing demodicosis, while their infestation refers to red mange, demodectic mange, or Demodex mange.
Dogs will start developing signs of Demodex mites if their immune system can’t control the mites’ population. This situation generally occurs in malnourished or young dogs.
Moreover, dogs with other health conditions are also vulnerable to excessive mite problems. It’s because of their weakened immune system.
Demodex mites’ infestation symptoms include thickened skin, hair loss, and skin infection. As you can’t see these mites with the naked eye, you’ll need a proper examination to identify their presence on your dogs.
Important info:
Lime-sulfur dip is a popular treatment for Demodex mites’ infestation. Regardless of the treatment, it’s vital to keep using medications until all the signs of Demodex mites have gone.
Cheyletiella Yasguri Mites (Walking dandruff)
This type of mite causes a mite infestation called cheyletiellosis or walking dandruff. These mites look like dandruff at first glance, and that’s where the mites have gotten their name. When your vet examines skin flakes under a microscope, he’ll find mites instead of dandruff.
This type of mite is highly contagious, especially in multi-pet households.
Vets can diagnose this mites type in dogs by examining their hair and skin samples under a microscope.
You can use selamectin to treat this mite infestation every two weeks. To get rid of walking dandruff, following a three-treatment protocol is necessary. This practice will target mites’ each lifecycle effectively. Moreover, using Pyrethrin shampoo can also effectively treat Cheyletiella Yasguri Mites.
How can dogs get mites?
Dogs can pick up mites in multiple ways. These can pass from dog to dog or environment to dog. Grooming establishments and animal shelters are some of the most common places where dogs get mites.
Accidents can still happen even if these places check the animals before entering their spaces.
Your dog can also get mites while interacting with an outdoor cat or dog.
Contact your vet for proper examination and treatment if your dog has gotten a mites infestation.
Bonus tip for Mites on Dogs
It’s important to wash bedding and places where your dog spends most of the time. This practice will help keep your dog from reinfection.
How to prevent your dogs from mites?
Here are some of the best ways to prevent your dog from mites:
If you take your dog for a walk pretty often, don’t let them go closer to unfamiliar dogs.
Have you done with the treatment of your dog recently? Keep its bedding and other places clean to prevent re-infestation.
Ask your vet about some effective immune system-boosting supplements for your dog. However, these don’t prevent mites’ infestation directly. However, these will improve your dog’s overall health and help them fight infection more effectively.
Prevention is always better than cure. So, try hard to prevent your dog from mites as much as possible.
[…] Check this article out if you want to see what kind of mites might be on your dog […]
[…] However, ear mites can cause a lot of discomfort to your pets and make them scratch themselves sore. Fortunately, ear mites are easy to treat after diagnosis. Below you will find out how to treat ear mites in dogs. Here is a good post on the kinds of mites are found on dogs. […]