calliecritturs
Posted : 12/16/2011 1:38:03 PM
I can't let this post stand without comment. It's too full of problems.
I'm assuming this "thump test" is merely a result of the state of extreme nervousness that many dogs with sarcops exhibit. Because the itch is so violent and unrelenting it tends to make the animal very nervous. But rubbing the ears together would simply trigger a nervous response in some dogs -- I certainly would not want a vet to use THAT to make any determination on my dog. I have seen many dogs with involved generalized demodex that wouldn't "pass" a test like that because their skin reacts so violently to the mite.
Demodex IS a form of mange -- it's a completely different mite (fl
CathyDoggins
In terms of demodex, it may appear similar to dog mange or scabies, but does not have one key characteristic itch.
ies and mosquitos are both insects but they aren't alike and demodex and sarcoptic mites are both arachnids and "mites" -- just different varieties).
Dogs DO indeed itch with sarcoptic mange. It's an unrelenting violent itch usually. But the thing that causes "itch" in demodectic mange is the reaction in the hair follicles/skin pores of the waste the mites leave behind and the skin -- literally it's that allergic type reaction in the hair follicles/skin pores that can cause the nasty itch with demodex. not all dogs will itch/scratch with demodex but SOME of them react violently.
If demodex is "localized demodex" it is confined to the face (and it does NOT begin on the muzzle specifically (in fact, it's rarely near the mouth or nostrils), but near the eyes and may spread *to* the muzzle, but more frequently down the neck to the chest. But once it begins to spread it is then referred to as "generalized demodex".
CathyDoggins
Demodex also tends to be localized to the muzzle.
In some dogs demodex may resolve with no treatment. But in other cases it tends to simply worsen -- sometimes spreading, sometimes itching, sometimes massively infecting and becoming literally life-threatening.
"tends" is a dangerous word to use -- it's only localized at the beginning. Whether it spreads or not usually depends on treatment, not just happenstance.