Clinical and Haemato-Biochemical Alterations in Dogs Diagnosed with Demodicosis in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Demodicosis is a common dermatological condition in dogs that produces characteristic cutaneous lesions and may also cause important haematological and biochemical alterations. This study was conducted to characterize the clinical signs, lesion distribution, and haemato-biochemical changes in demodicosis affected dogs. A total of 219 dogs with dermatological lesions were screened, out of which 30 were confirmed positive for demodicosis by standard skin-scraping examination and trichogram. Also, 10 apparently healthy dogs served as controls for the haemato-biochemical comparisons. The study revealed that alopecia, erythema, and erosions were observed in all affected dogs (100%), followed by papules (80%), hyperkeratosis (73.33%), pustules (53.33%), scars (50%), vesicles (40%), excoriation (23.33%), lichenification (20%), and hyperpigmentation (13.33%). The periocular region and back were the most frequently affected sites (93.33% each), followed by the abdomen (86.66%) and face and neck (83.33% each). The haemato-biochemical study revealed that affected dogs had lower mean haemoglobin and packed cell volume, higher total leucocyte counts, neutrophilia and eosinophilia, elevated ALT, AST, total protein, globulin, and glucose, and reduced albumin while compared to healthy dogs. These findings explains that canine demodicosis is associated with very specific patterns of skin lesions, systemic, haematological and biochemical alterations.