Epidomological and clinico -therapeutic studies on canine demodicosis
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Date
2003
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Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
Abstract
Prevalence of demodicosis was studied among the dogs presented with
dermatological problems at the University Veterinary Hospitals, Mannuthy and
Kokkalai during the period from May 2002 to April 2003. Among the 927
dermatological problems in canines, demodicosis was diagnosed in 51 (5.50 per
cent) and scabies (Sarcoptes scabei var canis) in three (0.03 per cent) cases.
Significant difference (P<0.05) in the proportion of positive cases was
noted among different age groups of dogs with the highest rate of infection in 6 to
12 months age group followed by three to six months. Highest rate of infection
was observed in Boxers followed by Golden retrievers and Rotteweilers and
lowest in Dachshunds, the difference being statistically significant (P<0.05). No
influence of sex was observed on the prevalence of demodicosis.
Papules and pustules were the most frequent primary lesions and
erythema and alopecia, the predominant secondary lesions distributed mostly on
the face, neck and extremities with occasional lesions on the trunk of the affected
dogs. Constant pruritus with diffuse pattern of alopecia was observed in most of
the generalised demodicosis while the pruritus was absent or occasional and
rarely constant in localised demodic;sis. Out of six incontact animals affected,
four were from the same litter indicating the transmission of the disease from the
mother to neonate at the time of suckling. Dogs kept outdoors were less
frequently affected.
A significant reduction in the haemoglobin, PCV and albumin globulin
ratio and an elevation in absolute eosinophil count and globulin content (P<0.05)
was observed in the affected dogs. All the treatments were effective in bringing
these values towards their normal level in the control group.
lvermectin at 200 mcg per kg, subcutaneously, fortnightly was found to
cure only localised cases while it was seem to be ineffective in generalised
demodicosis. Weekly per cent improvement and demodicosis index analysed
statistically showed no significant difference between the other three treatment
groups (1) amitraz, (2) amitraz + ivermectin and (3) amitraz + ivermectin +
levamisole. Although not statistically significant (P<0.05) faster healing, greater
per cent improvement and significant improvement in the haematological and
biochemical parameters was observed in the group treated with the combination
of ivermectin, levamisole and amitraz. Clinical improvement was observed
within three to five treatments and cent per cent of the dogs cleared the mites by
10 treatments.
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