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Demodicosis is a non-contagious parasitic skin disease caused by a mite (Demodex sp.) that normally inhabits your pet’s hair follicles. A healthy immune system ensures that the mite population remains under control. Demodex mites may over-populate in the skin of young animals with developing immune systems and in immunocompromised pets. Symptoms of demodicosis may be as mild as patchy hair loss and may progress to generalized hair loss and itchiness. Diagnosis of demodicosis is based on history, physical examination findings, and identification of numerous microscopic Demodex mites from a skin scraping. Older patients diagnosed with demodicosis require more extensive testing (blood tests, imaging) to look for a cause of the compromised immune system (e.g.: Cushing’s disease, cancer, chronic illness). Treatment for demodicosis includes: 1) topical and/or oral medications to reduce the numbers of Demodex mites, 2) antibiotics and/or antifungals to resolve secondary infections, and 3) therapy for the underlying primary disease in immunocompromised patients.
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19847 South Prairie Road East Bonney Lake, WA, 98391
Phone: 253-891-1700 Fax: 253-891-2905 timberridgedvm@aol.com
Monday: 8:00am- 6:00pm Tuesday: 8:00am- 6:00pm Wednesday: 8:00am- 6:00pm Thursday: 8:00am- 6:00pm Friday: 8:00am- 6:00pm Saturday: 8:00am- 1:00pm Subject to change Sunday: Closed
Closed Holidays: New years day, Memorial day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day
On weekdays, surgery drop-off is from 7:45 am – 8:15 am. Appointments beginning at 8:00 am.
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