Generalized Demodicosis in a German Shepherd: A Case Report

Canine demodicosis is a common parasitic dermatological disease caused by excessive proliferation of Demodex mites inhabiting the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of dogs. A one-year-old male German Shepherd dog with severe demodicosis was brought to the RVP- Clinic of the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Izzatnagar, Bareilly, complaining of progressive alopecia, erythema, crusting and recurring skin infections for one to one and a half months. Fluconazole had previously been administered to the dog, but the sores returned. A clinical examination showed mild pyrexia (104.3°F), alopecia, skin reddening, and crust formation, primarily on the nose and forelimbs. Numerous cigar-shaped Demodex canis mites with elongated bodies and short, stubby legs were found during a deep skin scraping investigation. Based on these findings, the condition was diagnosed as canine demodicosis, and treatment with doramectin was initiated for effective mite control.