A dull coat, hairless, inflamed areas of skin and often very severe itching are characteristic of this parasitic skin disease, which occurs worldwide and can affect dogs of all ages. It is triggered by a mite, Demodex, which is also found on healthy dogs. Why it multiplies at an above-average rate in certain cases and leads to the skin changes mentioned above is still not fully understood. The disease is not considered contagious.
Demodex mites are part of the normal skin flora of dogs and are found primarily in the hair follicles, but also in the sebaceous and sweat glands. Triggered by certain factors that have not yet been fully researched, there is an unnatural increase in the number of mites, which then leads to the destruction of the hair follicles and the overlying skin. This results in secondary bacterial infections, some of which cause severe, purulent skin inflammation. Generalized demodicosis in young dogs is thought to be caused by a specific defect in the immune cells and is therefore considered hereditary. In contrast, spontaneous, localized, often self-healing demodicosis in young dogs is not hereditary and therefore does not require exclusion from breeding. In older dogs, stress, malnutrition, or underlying internal diseases are believed to lead to excessive reproduction of Demodex mites and the associated skin changes.
Affected dogs usually first show a few scaly, hairless patches in their coat, but general hair loss may also occur. At this stage, there is often no itching. The affected areas of skin may turn gray as the condition progresses. Secondary bacterial infections can lead to pustules, crusts, and ulcers. Young dogs often show the first skin changes around the eyes, lips, or limbs. If hair loss is limited to certain areas, it is considered localized demodicosis, which, according to the latest findings, is not hereditary. In most cases, self-healing occurs during this phase and the symptoms disappear after a short time.
However, if the skin changes spread to the entire body, this is referred to as generalized demodicosis, which is believed to have a hereditary component. In this phase, the symptoms are often accompanied by severe itching, swollen lymph nodes, severe general discomfort, fever, and pain.
A veterinary examination and treatment is strongly recommended at the latest when the generalized form develops. Even if the veterinarian can already make a tentative diagnosis based on the dog's history and a thorough clinical examination, further examination of the skin is essential to confirm the presence of Demodex mites. Skin material is taken via a deep skin scraping or skin biopsy (skin sample) in order to detect live Demodex mites. It should be noted that only a significantly increased number of eggs, larvae, and mites indicate disease, as individual Demodex mites are part of normal skin colonization.
Young dogs suffering from localized demodicosis do not usually require treatment, as the skin changes resolve on their own. In case of doubt, only any secondary infections that may occur should be treated appropriately.
However, generalized demodicosis should always be treated by a veterinarian due to the severity of the symptoms alone. Treatment is very lengthy and includes both external and general treatment. Affected animals are usually treated with an external mite-killing agent applied to the entire body and also receive spot-on or oral preparations. Please discuss the exact treatment plan for your pet with your veterinarian.
The prognosis for localized demodicosis is good. In cases of generalized demodicosis, the chances of recovery depend on whether any underlying diseases or immune system disorders can be treated. If this is not the case, the prognosis is generally poor to unfavorable. In some cases, however, the symptoms can be suppressed with lifelong treatment. Due to the hereditary component of the disease, young animals affected by generalized and recurrent demodicosis should be excluded from breeding.
Heart disease is also relatively common in our four-legged friends, affecting almost one in ten dogs. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood into the circulatory system, meaning that the body is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen.
Urolithiasis, colloquially referred to as urinary stone disease, refers to the formation and deposition of various concretions in the urinary tract of horses. Although this disease occurs sporadically in horses, it can lead to serious symptoms and significant impairments. The deposits can occur in the form of crystals, grit, sand, or stones and are most commonly found (approx. 60%) in the urinary bladder. Geldings are more severely affected than stallions or mares.
What do these five letters stand for? This abbreviation comes from English and literally means "feline lower urinary tract disease." It describes all diseases of the urinary tract in cats that cause difficulty and pain when urinating. As a rule, almost exclusively indoor cats are affected; outdoor cats almost never develop this condition. Male cats are also more susceptible than female cats.
Taking in a foal and choosing the long road to happiness on horseback is a real adventure! It is an opportunity to form a bond that can mature over many years and to watch a foal grow into a horse. But it also requires commitment on your part.
Doesn't every rider dream of an unforgettable ride on their four-legged favorite? Whether over hill and dale, along the coast, or simply from place to place. The feeling of sitting relaxed on your horse with the wind in your hair is amazing. Exploring nature together, perhaps racing neck and neck in a riding group or bravely riding into a lake to swim – you probably have all these images and stories of wonderful riding trips with happy horse-rider pairs in your head right now. We all know that it's not always sunshine and roses on four hooves and that some riders work up quite a sweat when riding through unfamiliar terrain. But with a little preparation and a few precautions, you can create the right conditions for returning from your ride full of enthusiasm and wonderful memories.
Almost all of us are familiar with asthma in humans. But chronic respiratory diseases are also becoming increasingly common among our horses. Over the past few years, various terms have been established to describe a similar complex of diseases. In English-speaking countries, the umbrella term "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" (COPD) was used for a long time, as it was assumed that the changes affected not only the bronchi but the entire lungs. In German, the term "chronische obstruktive Bronchitis" (COB) was mostly used. Although these terms are still often used today, in veterinary medicine for horses, a distinction is now only made between "RAO: Recurrent Airway Obstruction" and "IAO: Inflammatory Airway Disease." The central component of all terms is always the obstruction or narrowing of the small bronchi, which leads to breathing difficulties and coughing. The precursor to these chronic diseases is usually acute bronchitis.
Thanks to improved preventive care, senior dogs are no longer a rarity. Similar to humans, they suffer from classic age-related ailments such as osteoarthritis, cataracts, and dementia. Around 20% of nine-year-old dogs and almost 70% of 15-year-old dogs suffer from dementia, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS or "dog Alzheimer's").
Winter affects humans and animals differently than summer. The body has to adjust to the cold, darker season. We can also help our dogs get through the winter very well.
Did you know that color rats have a pleasant calmness and can bring a lot of joy to those around them with their friendly nature?
Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. It can be divided into anterior and posterior inflammation and manifests itself through a narrow pupil and reddened conjunctiva.
Due to its appearance, the neck lump is also known as a talpa, which means mole tumor. It describes all inflammatory enlargements of the soft tissues in the neck area of the horse. The majority of cases are due to inflammation of the bursa located under the neck band.
In centuries past, looking into a horse's mouth played an important role, albeit primarily to determine the animal's age. Today, the focus is more on dental care and dental disease in horses. Dental hygiene is a very important aspect of keeping horses healthy. Regular veterinary checks of the mouth and teeth should be carried out at least once a year. The annual check-up and routine dental treatment can be carried out by any equine practice. In the event of specific dental problems or complications, it is advisable to consult a practice that specializes in equine dentistry. Typical dental problems in horses include tartar and the formation of hooks and edges on the molars due to uneven wear. These issues can be quickly resolved during routine treatment, preventing further damage. But how can we, as horse owners, tell if our horse has dental problems?
