Most dogs are already exposed to demodex mites early in life thus they are potentially carriers of the parasite. However, not all dogs harboring mites show symptoms; it is only those dogs with compromised immune systems that manifest signs of the infection. The important risk factors that can increase a dog’s risk to demodex infestation include the following:
Age - Dogs that are less than 2 years old may have hair loss.
Breed - Purebred dogs tend to be more at risk of showing symptoms associated with puppy mange.
Health - Dogs with an existing medical condition such as diabetes have higher risks of developing demodectic mange.
While hair loss due to puppy mange doesn’t result in major complications, affected areas may possibly become irritated or infected, leading to severe skin infections and other types of dermatologic problems. Bald patchy areas of skin may take months to heal until the problem is fully resolved.
Treating puppy mange can be challenging, thus you should work closely with your veterinarian Fort Collins, CO in addressing your pet’s problem.
