Image: Coquet Vets, 2022
We saw Buddy at 12 weeks of age, as he had become intensely itchy and had started to scratch and damage his skin, especially on his head and back. On examination our vet found that he had a lot of dandruff, and after taking a sample and checking under the microscope, we found a surface mite called Cheyletiella.
He was prescribed a spray to kill these mites. On follow up examinations, although his skin had improved, Buddy remained itchy. Our vet, therefore, performed a deep skin scrape and found that poor Buddy also had Demodex mange.
Photo: Coquet Vets, 2022
Demodex is a tiny mite that lives in hair follicles and skin and can cause skin disease in young and immunocompromised animals. See below for magnified images of these very tiny mites.
Images: Cheyletiella mite (left) and Demodex mite (right)
Buddy was prescribed an anti-parasite medication that is licensed to treat Demodex. We are very pleased to report his skin disease is resolving nicely.
Being so microscopically tiny, pet owners may not know why their pet is itchy and scratching so much, even after a good check with the naked eye. If you do notice these behaviours in your pet, or this article has raised any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us on 01665 252 250 so we can do a full examination for you.
