Epizootic process of demodicosis and sarcoptosis of pet dogs in the metropolis

Abstract

Scabies mites, in particular Sarcoptes scabei and Demodex canis, remain undesirable but permanent members of zoocenoses in metropolis around the world. This is due to the contacts of domestic animals with wild relatives (foxes, raccoon dogs, coyotes), which are massively infected with various types of ticks. The purpose of our research was to find out the epizootic situation with demodicosis and sarcoptic mange of domestic dogs in Kyiv, as well as to establish the sources of their infection. The actual results were obtained on the basis of the "Veterinary Clinic of Doctor Medvedev" (Kyiv) according to the data of routine work with patients for 2009-2020. Diagnostic procedures consisted of clinical and dermatological examination of dogs, examination of skin scrapings, trichoscopy, "Scotch tape" test, a Wood's lamp examination and others. Over 11 years, 1473 dermatological examinations of domestic dogs were carried out. Of these, 230 dogs (15.6%) suffered from demodicosis at the age of 5 months to 7 years. Sarcoptic mange was much less common: a total of 59 sick dogs (4.0%) were identified. Both of acaroses were seasonal, with an increase in the incidence in fall and winter. Regarding the breed factor: Pugs (10.43%), Staffordshire Terriers (10.0%) and French Bulldogs (9.56%) were more prone to demodicosis; to sarcoptic mange – German wirehaired pointer (13.6%), German hunt terrier (11.9%) and Shorthaired pointer (10.2%). The stray dogs and cats were source most often of infection of domestic decorative dogs with mites Sarcoptes scabei var canis. Hunting dogs mainly became infected during the hunting season during contact with animals of the wild fauna, most often – foxes. Clinical manifestations of acaroses occurred mainly in young animals not older than 3 years (70.5 and 76.7% for demodicosis and sarcoptic mange, respectively). In addition, in male dogs sarcoptic mange is more often recorded (59.3%), in female dogs – demodicosis (53.9%). Key words: scabies, mites, Sarcoptes scabiei, Demodex canis, prevalence, dogs, foxes.