Evaluation of Therapeutic Approaches for Canine Demodicosis with Microscopic and Haemato-Biochemical Assessment

Abstract

Demodectic mange is a clinically significant parasitic dermatosis in dogs and represents one of the most common dermatological presentations in veterinary practice in India. The present randomized controlled clinical study was conducted to assess the diagnostic reliability of deep skin scraping and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ivermectin, amitraz, and their combination in 48 naturally infected dogs exhibiting alopecia, erythema, crusting, pruritus and pustular dermatitis. Diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic detection of Demodex canis, identifiable by its elongated cigar-shaped body and short legs. Dogs were randomly assigned to three treatment groups each of 16 dogs: ivermectin (0.4 mg/kg PO daily) monotherapy, amitraz (0.05% weekly dip) monotherapy, and combined ivermectin amitraz therapy. Supportive care included benzoyl peroxide shampoo twice weekly and systemic antibiotics when pyoderma was detected. Clinical and parasitological response was monitored biweekly for 8 weeks, and haemato-biochemical analysis on 0 (before), 4 and 8 week of therapy. The combination group demonstrated a significantly higher cure rate (87.5%) with rapid reduction in mite load and lesion severity, compared to ivermectin alone (69%) and amitraz alone (50%) including reversal of haemato-biochemical alterations. Relapse was lowest in the combination group. Deep skin scraping proved an effective diagnostic and monitoring tool. The findings support multimodal therapy as the most effective clinical strategy for managing generalized demodicosis under field conditions.