Pathology of canine demodicosis

Out of the 80 dermatitis cases studied in dogs, 17 were demodicosis cases. The affected dogs belonged to two to six years of age group. Grossly, papules, pustules, nodules, alopecia, scaly, crusty, hyperpigmented and thickened skin were observed. Adults and immature stages were seen in skin scrapings. Neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages were seen in cytological preparations along with mites. Histopathological changes included dilated hair follicles with cross sections of demodex mites, hyperkeratosis, melanin pigment accumulation, furnculosis and extrafollicular inflammatory changes.