This page quotes a published document. Everything below in quotation marks is copied word for word from https://capcvet.org/guidelines/demodex/, published by CAPC and retrieved on 2026-09-16. The quotations are excerpts; the document itself is linked and is the authority. Nothing has been reworded.
This page quotes the Companion Animal Parasite Council guideline for Demodex spp., section by section: the opening sentences of 8 sections, copied without change and linked to the guideline, which was retrieved on 2026-09-16. The guideline itself is the authority and carries the full text.
The guideline
Companion Animal Parasite Council, Demodex spp., at https://capcvet.org/guidelines/demodex/. Retrieved 2026-09-16. Each heading below is the guideline’s own, and the quotation under it is how that section begins. The full section, and the species tabs where the guideline gives them, are on the linked page.
Synopsis
CAPC Recommends Most Demodex spp. are considered normal mammalian fauna with disease resulting from an overgrowth due to an underlying condition. Demodicosis due to D. canis and D. injai is diagnosed by microscopic examination of deep skin scrapes from affected areas of alopecia.
Species
Demodex canis Demodex injai Demodex sp . " cornei "
Disease
Although most Demodex spp. are considered normal mammalian fauna, overgrowth of mites may be associated with development of patchy hair loss or mild to severe dermatitis in dogs and (less commonly) in cats. Canine demodicosis may be localized or generalized and both forms may present in either juvenile or adult dogs.
Prevalence
Canine demodicosis (demodectic mange) due to D. canis is a common skin disease in the dog; disease due to D. injai or Demodex sp. “cornei” in dogs appears to be rare.
Diagnosis
Demodicosis due to D. canis and D. injai is diagnosed by microscopic examination of deep skin scrapes from affected areas of alopecia. Technique Place a drop of mineral oil or microscopic immersion oil onto a rounded scalpel blade (#10 or #20).
Treatment
There are no products that are label-approved for the treatment or prevention of Demodex spp. in dogs in the United States. All of the following treatments discussed constitute an extra-label use of available products.
Control and Prevention
For intact female dogs that develop generalized demodicosis, spaying is recommended because they may experience relapse of disease in subsequent heat cycles. The development of demodicosis was long believed to have a genetic predisposition, and as a result, some veterinarians discourage breeding affected animals.
Public Health Considerations
Demodex mites are host-adapted; there is no zoonotic potential in canine demodicosis.
Continue reading public health considerations on capcvet.org
Sources
- capc-demodexCAPC · retrieved 2026-09-16
“CAPC Recommends Most Demodex spp. are considered normal mammalian fauna with disease resulting from an overgrowth due to an underlying condition. Demodicosis due to D.” (Synopsis)
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