Sarcoptic scabies, also called common scabies, are caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite and is the most common type of scabies in dogs.
It causes severe itching and significantly affects the quality of life of the dog, which can lead to bacterial infections and serious health problems if left untreated. It is a curable disease, but also very contagious and can even be transmitted to humans.
- In this article by Animal Expert we explain everything about sarcoptic scabies.
- The symptoms that the dog may have and the treatment to be applied.
- Read!.
The parasite responsible for this disease is the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which lives inside the skin of infected dogs and causes itching (itching). The females of S. scabiei are the main responsible for the itching, as they dig microscopic tunnels in the dog’s skin to lay their eggs.
This disease is highly contagious and any healthy dog that comes into contact with an infected dog will be infected. Contagion also occurs indirectly, through inanimate objects that have come into contact with the infected dog, such as beds, niches, canine beauty equipment, collars, food containers and even faeces.
Sarcoptic scabies can also be passed on to humans (although mites cannot live long in humans) and from these to dogs again. Symptoms appear 2 to 6 weeks after infection. Dogs most at risk of infection are those found in kennels, pet homes, and dogs with frequent contact with stray dogs.
The most obvious symptoms of sarcomptic scabies include
Diagnosis of sarcoptic scabies should only be made by the veterinarian. In some cases, you may get a useful sample (for example, stool) and observe it under a microscope. However, most of the time, the diagnosis is made through the history and symptoms of the dog.
Sarcoptic scabies can be cured and generally have a good prognosis. Treatment usually includes an acaricidal shampoo or a combination of shampoo and medication. Some common acaricides in the treatment of this scabies and others are ivermectin and amitraz.
It is important to note that certain breeds of shepherd dogs such as collie, the English shepherd and the Australian shepherd have problems with these drugs, so the veterinarian must prescribe other medicines for treatment.
When secondary bacterial infections occur, antibiotics are also needed to fight them. The veterinarian is the only one who can prescribe medicines and indicate their frequency and dose.
Other dogs that live with the affected dog should also be evaluated by the veterinarian and treated, even if they do not show symptoms. In addition, it is important to apply a caressed treatment to the location of the dog and to the objects with which he comes into contact. This should also be indicated by the veterinarian.
To avoid this scabies, it is necessary to prevent our dog from coming into contact with infected dogs and their environment. It is important to take the dog to the veterinarian at the first suspicion of scabies, as this will facilitate treatment if the disease is diagnosed positively.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Parasitic Diseases section.