Mites in dogs: types, symptoms and treatment
Mites are widespread in dogs and, accordingly, for many dog owners in the course of time can cause a problem. There are several species of small arachnids that feed primarily on dead skin cells of their host.
Mites can cause numerous complaints in dogs, some of which can manifest themselves as massive problems with the skin and coat. Which mites can occur in dogs, which symptoms you have to pay attention to and how to treat the annoying parasites, you will learn in the following
These mites can occur in dogs
There are different types of mites. If your dog is attacked by them, one of the following mite species is usually responsible:
- Grass mites
- Ear mites
- House mites
- Manure mites
- Feed mites
- Demodex mites
Grass mites in dogs
Grass mites are a seasonal problem in dogs, occurring primarily in summer and autumn. In contrast to other species, dogs are not attacked by adult mites, but only by the larvae.
Grass mites live on the edge of forests, in meadows and gardens, where their larvae can get onto the dog's body while walking. Furthermore, transmission through contact with an infected conspecific is also possible.
Ear mites in dogs
Ear mites are another type of mite that frequently infect dogs. They are very contagious and usually only affect the ears of the quadruped.
Dogs with long ears are particularly often affected by an ear mite infestation, with old dogs and young animals being particularly susceptible. The mites are transmitted through physical contact with an already infected dog.
Manure mites in dogs
Scavenger mites are also called grave mites. This is because they dig small passages in the dog's skin where the mites multiply and feed on the tissue fluid and keratin of their host.
Manure mites are highly contagious. The mites are transmitted either through contact with an infected dog or through fallen parts of the skin, such as dandruff.
Feed mites in dogs
Feed mites can occasionally be found in dry dog food. If this is the case, both their faeces and the mites themselves enter the dog's body when they eat, which can cause skin problems and allergic reactions.
To prevent an infestation with food mites, you must always store the dog food well-closed and in a dry place. Also, make sure to use up opened food bags promptly.
Demodex mites in dogs
Demodex mites are also known as hair follicle mites. They often live permanently in the hair follicles of the dog or other mammals. In many cases, these mites go unnoticed by the dog and there are no noticeable symptoms.
In dogs with a weakened immune system, however, this can be so different and infestation with demodex mites can lead to unpleasant problems with the skin.
Recognizing symptoms for mites in dogs
Depending on which mites your dog is affected by, the symptoms caused by mite infestation can vary. However, practically all mites cause severe itching in dogs. Excessive scratching is therefore a typical symptom that can indicate mite infestation in your quadruped.
If you do not take prompt action against the mites in your dog, the frequent scratching sooner or later can lead to bald spots as well as incrustations and scaling on the skin of the four-legged friend. The longer the treatment of mites is delayed in dogs, the more the problems with the skin and coat can spread over the body.
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from mites, a flea comb can help you search the coat. However, since the annoying parasites are very small, they are not always easy to detect.
If it is an ear mite, the itching in your dog is usually localised to the ears. In addition, you will probably observe that your quadruped shakes their head frequently. In addition, brown to black encrustations in the auditory canals can indicate an infestation with ear mites.
Treat mites in dogs early
If your dog is suffering from mites, you should not take it lightly. Finally, the irritation of the skin caused by the mite infestation is extremely unpleasant. In addition, over time mites can cause other health problems in dogs, such as demodicosis or anaemia.
Apart from that, the small parasites are very infectious. Some mites can even infest humans in addition to dogs, which leads to comparable complaints.
Dogs with mites should go to the vet
If you fear that your dog has become infected with mites, we recommend that you visit your vet as soon as possible. The veterinarian can examine your quadruped and check whether you are right with your suspicion and what kind of mites it is exactly.
Based on the test results, the vet can then determine what measures are necessary to treat the mites in your dog. In many cases, they will prescribe preparations containing cortisone such as injections or creams.
However, for harmless mite species, such as grass mites, treatment with an antipruritic agent is often sufficient. In order to counteract ear mites in your dog, a combination of agents to kill the mites and antibacterial preparations to alleviate the inflammation caused by them is usually used.
Regardless of the type of mite and the treatment measures recommended by the vet, it is very important that you keep your dog's environment free of mites. Clean and disinfect items such as pillows, blankets and brushes thoroughly to prevent your dog from being infested with mites again.
Avoid mites in dogs
As you can see, mites can have extremely unpleasant consequences for your dog. For this reason, you should do your best to avoid infestation with the small parasites.
With regard to grass mites, for example, it helps to regularly mow the lawn in your own garden and when going for walks, make sure that the dog does not run through tall grass. Apart from this, hygiene measures in the household are important, for example, to remove any mites from the dog's sleeping place.
Medicine against mites in dogs
In addition to the preventive measures mentioned above, there are also special spot-on preparations to prevent mite infestation in dogs. However, in many cases, such remedies against mites contain insecticides that can also pose a risk to your dog's health that should not be underestimated.
We, therefore, recommend that you give preference to natural methods wherever possible and avoid using chemical preparations against mites in your dog.
A strong immune system against mites in dogs
The immune system plays an important role when it comes to an infestation with mites in dogs. Because even if functioning defences cannot completely prevent parasite infestation, they at least help your dog to survive the mites more easily.
For this reason, we particularly recommend that you pay attention to a species-appropriate diet with high-quality dog food and avoid unnecessary stress for your four-legged friend.
In addition, a dietary supplement such as Bellfor Immun can be useful. Bellfor Immun is a natural preparation that supplies your dog with valuable amino acids as well as important vitamins and minerals and can thus contribute to supporting the immune system.
Products from Bellfor against mites in dogs
The Bellfor range not only offers you a wide selection of high-quality dog food but also various natural care products that help you counteract mites in your dog.
- Vermin Health dog shampoo by Bellfor for dogs with mites and other skin parasites
- Bellfor Ear Mite Drops, as a natural remedy against ear mites
- Bellfor Anti-Grass Mite Spray, to prevent grass mites in your dog
The most important facts about mites in dogs at a glance
In dogs, mites cause severe itching and unpleasant problems with the coat and skin. The longer mites remain untreated in dogs, the greater the discomfort they cause.
Examinations at the veterinarian help to determine the mite species and the necessary measures for treatment. In order to avoid infestation with mites in dogs, it is important, among other things, to ensure good hygiene.
Apart from this, a strong immune system ensures that possible consequences for the health of the dog caused by an infestation with mites are minimized. On the other hand, chemical remedies against mites in dogs should be avoided. We recommend using natural alternatives instead, for prevention.
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