A retrospective study of juvenile- and adult-onset generalized demodicosis in dogs (1986-91)

The medical records of 81 dogs (47 juvenile, 34 adult) with generalized demodicosis were reviewed. There was a significant difference in the distribution of breeds (juvenile P < 0.002, adult P < 0.001; chi squared) presented for demodicosis compared with the distribution of the same breeds presented to our practice during the same time period. Cocker Spaniels and mixed-breed dogs were likely to be under-represented in both the adult- and juvenile-onset groups. Significantly more miticidal treatments were required to achieve clinical remission in adult dogs with pustular demodicosis compared with juvenile dogs with pustular disease (P < 0.05; Kruskall-Wallis). Concurrent disease and associated drug administration were assessed for adult dogs with demodicosis. Of dogs with concurrent conditions (n = 15), administration of corticosteroids and endogenous hyperadrenocorticism were recognized most often (10/15). Concurrent neoplastic, infectious, parasitic or metabolic disease was uncommon in dogs with adult-onset demodicosis.