Treatment of Demodicosis in Dogs & Cats
Karen A. Moriello, DVM, DACVD, University of Wisconsin–Madison
This article is the second of two articles on demodicosis in dogs and cats. The first article covered diagnosis, including causes, signalment, laboratory testing, and risk factors, while this article addresses treatment measures.
Profile
Definition
Demodicosis arises when Demodex mites, which are normal flora in dogs and cats, proliferate in the skin (usually the hair follicle).
The incidence and prevalence of the disease are unknown.
Generalized demodicosis in dogs is associated with heritable factors, although no known heritable tendencies have been found in cats.
Three species of Demodex mites affect dogs: D canis (not shown), the long-bodied mite D injai (A), and the short-bodied mite D cornei (not shown); while two species affect cats: the long-bodied D cati (not shown) and the short- and wide-bodied D gatoi (B).
Treatment
Inpatient or Outpatient
Demodicosis in dogs and cats can be treated on an outpatient basis.
Concurrent bacterial/yeast overgrowth must be treated so that therapy does not fail. If there is a lack of appropriate response, the skin should be cultured to rule out a possible methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) infection.
Dogs with adult-onset demodicosis and complications from underlying disease or dogs with deep pyoderma, fever, and sepsis may require hospitalization for supportive care and diagnostic testing. Hospitalization of cats is rare and is related to medical issues underlying D cati infestations.
Medical
Treat fever, pain, sepsis, and dehydration in dogs with concurrent deep pyoderma.
Provide pain medication for dogs with pododemodicosis if needed.
Recommend sedation and clipping of the hair coat (especially long-haired breeds) to facilitate medicated bathing.
Institute aggressive antimicrobial therapy pending culture and sensitivity.
Initiate concurrent topical antimicrobial shampoo therapy (eg, benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine).
Monitor patients with severe generalized demodicosis during initial therapy for development of peripheral edema; systemic miticidal drugs can cause massive mite kills and obstruction of lymphatics.
The incidence and prevalence of demodicosis are unknown.
Nutritional Aspects
Ensure that clients are feeding complete, balanced, age-appropriate diets, especially if the pet’s body condition is poor.
Demodicosis in dogs & cats can be treated on an outpatient basis.
Client Education
Dogs
Explain that localized demodicosis may progress to generalized demodicosis in about 10% of affected dogs.
Clients need to thoroughly understand the cost and duration of treatment (see In General, page 20), especially for juvenile generalized demodicosis, and the possibility of relapse or lack of cure.
Emphasize the need for a thorough workup of dogs with adult-onset demodicosis and the implications of underlying disease; provide the pros and cons of treatment options.
Cats
Explain the contagious nature of D gatoi and the need to treat all in-contact cats.
There is a strong likelihood of an underlying predisposing disease in cats with D cati, but cost of evaluation to uncover the cause needs to be considered.
Emphasize the pros and cons of treatment.
Medications
Dogs
Amitraz1,2
Product availability is variable.
Use once weekly (extralabel use) by sponging onto the whole body; do not rinse off; apply thoroughly; do not let dog become wet between treatments.
Clip long-haired dogs to maximize contact with skin.
Do not use on dogs with deep pyoderma or open areas of sloughed skin.
Do not use concurrent monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), clomipramine, selegiline, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (fluoxetine, sertraline paroxetine), tricyclic antidepressants (clomipramine, amitriptyline), opioids, or such over-the-counter medications as dextromethorphan.3
Apply the product in the veterinary clinic; use good ventilation. Ensure that individuals applying the solution do not have respiratory disease or blood glucose issues, are not pregnant, and are not taking MAOIs.
Adverse effects include pruritus, polyuria/polydipsia, sedation, tremors, collapse, and hypothermia.
Use yohimbine to treat toxicosis.
Metaflumizone plus amitraz is labeled for the treatment of demodicosis in veterinary patients, but the manufacturer has made the decision to discontinue the manufacture and sale of this product. There have been rare pemphigus foliaceus–like drug reactions associated with the use of this drug combination.4
Ivermectin (extralabel use)
300 to 600 mcg/kg PO Q 24 H
Aqueous formulations are more palatable than propylene glycol–based formulations
Adverse effects include lethargy, muscle tremors, mydriasis, ataxia, severe neurotoxicosis (depression, stupor, coma, ataxia, seizures, death), and blindness. ABCB delta 1 gene (MDR1) testing can be used to screen for sensitivity.
Do not use in ivermectin-sensitive dogs or breeds.
Dogs should have a negative heartworm test result before use.2
Milbemycin oxime
1.5 to 2 mg/kg PO Q 24 H2
10% Moxidectin and 2.5% imidacloprid
Can be used every other week; however, weekly applications appear to be more effective.5,6
Doramectin
600 mcg/kg body weight SC once weekly. Do not use in ivermectin-sensitive dogs. Shown to be effective in 2 small studies.7,8
Cats
Feline otic demodicosis
Topical ivermectin or topical milbemycin oxime1,2
Generalized demodicosis due to D gatoi or D cati1,2
Lime sulfur (topical leave-on agent) safest treatment: use once or twice weekly for 6 weeks; higher concentration recommended for faster resolution (8 oz in 120 oz of water; mix thoroughly; cats tolerate better if water is warm). Apply thoroughly (rose-garden sprayer can be used) and soak coat and skin. Do not rinse off solution. Keep cats warm. Use in well-ventilated area.
Milbemycin oxime: 1.0 to 2.0 mg/kg Q 24 H. Well tolerated by most cats; can cause vomiting and diarrhea and, rarely, neurologic signs.
Aqueous ivermectin: 300 to 600 mcg orally Q 24 H; can be mixed in canned cat food; neurotoxicosis may develop.
Doramectin: 600 mcg/kg once weekly by SC injection.7
10% Moxidectin and 2.5% imidacloprid: used in small number of cats anecdotally; administered weekly or every other week.
Response to treatment trial
Treat all cats suspected of having D gatoi infestation for at least 6 weeks.
Precautions/Interactions
Dogs without an ivermectin-sensitive genotype can show signs of toxicosis if ivermectin is given with P-glycoprotein inhibitors.
Some more commonly used agents in veterinary dermatology include erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus. (Note: Oral tacrolimus use to date has been limited but may increase as this drug becomes more affordable.9)
In most cases, application of topical tacrolimus will not result in significant absorption. In humans, however, if the agent is used over large areas, significant absorption is possible.10
Do not use glucocorticoids in these patients.
Follow-Up
Patient Monitoring
Treatment continues in dogs until at least 2 or preferably 3 consecutive skin scrapings are negative at 1- to 2-week intervals.
The most common treatment error is stopping treatment too soon.
Complications
Relapse of generalized demodicosis in dogs is not uncommon.
Adult cats or dogs with demodicosis due to an underlying disease may not be able to achieve remission unless that disease is treated, cured, or controlled.
Future Follow-up
Dogs with generalized demodicosis will require lifelong monitoring for relapses. A dog is considered “cured” when no relapses have occurred for at least 1 year.
Cats with D gatoi can be cured, and relapse is not an observed problem. D cati infestation will not resolve unless medical disease is treated or managed.
In General
Feline otic demodicosis and localized canine demodicosis in puppies $
D gatoi infestation $$
Complicated D cati infestation $$$$
Generalized juvenile-onset demodicosis $$$$ to >$$$$$
Adult-onset canine demodicosis >$$$$$