Introduction: Demodicosis is an inflammatory parasitic disease of dogs and rarely cats characterized by the presence of a high number of mites in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. The efficacy of Amitraz was evaluated in three small breed dogs with localized demodicosis.

Materials and methods: Samples from head, thoracic and abdominal area, extremities and ear were taken by skin scraping and examined microscopically in 10% KOH solution to detect the presence of mites Amitraz topically applied as a 0.025% aqueous suspension once a week for up to four weeks together with antimicrobial therapy and a prewash of the entire skin surface with soap. At this dose the drug is non toxic and non irritant to skin and mucous membranes. The dips were done on a weekly basis until two negative skin scrapings. The treatment led to an entire healing and a complete resolution of the skin lesions and the disappearance of Demodex canis after two months without any scar formation or depigmentations of the skin.

Conclusions: The Amitraz therapy appears to provide a favorable prognosis for the control of demodicosis in the dogs with short hairs specially in breeds which have potential for Ivermectin poisoning.

Acknowledgements: We wish to thanks Dr. Hosseini for referring the cases for treatment.

References

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2.  Hugnet C. et al.(2001) Efficacy of 1.25% amitraz solution in the treatment of generalized demodicosis (eight cases) and sarcoptic mange (five cases) in dogs. Vet Dermatol. Apr. 12(2):89-92.

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