
Canine nasal mites (also known as Pneumonyssoides caninum) are very small; approximately only 1mm long in length, they are visible to the naked eye, though you’ll need to look carefully to detect them.
Dogs contract a specific type of microscopic mite that lives exclusively within their nasal passages and sinus cavities. The mites feed on the keratin layer of the epidermis.
Canine nasal mites can be found in all breeds, sexes, and ages of dogs, and are common. They affect dogs in numerous countries all over the world, and not just the USA — indeed, canine nasal mites have been reported in dogs worldwide.
The greater the infestation of nose mites in dogs, the more severe the signs are. However, it’s important to know that sometimes there are no signs present.
Typical symptoms of nasal mites in dogs include:
- Bleeding from the nose
- Sneezing and ‘reverse sneezing’ (inwardly, rapidly sniffing the air)
- Itching of the face
- Nasal discharge
- Impaired sense of smell
- Shaking of the head
- Labored breathing
- Noisy breathing during inhalation, sometimes high pitched
- Coughing
- Restlessness
- Small white to light tan specks may be seen in the nostril area
Often, the nasal mites are present on the outside of the nostril area making transmission easier. While there is some suggestion that the mites may be able to travel via fleas, lice, or flies, this is just a theory.
Environmental factors regarding transmission are unknown, but if your dog is in close contact with other dogs, the likelihood of contracting canine nasal mites increases.
Sometimes signs aren’t present and the diagnosis is made by chance. Your veterinarian may ask questions and examine your dog’s nose with an endoscope (rhinoscopy). The scoping may reveal nasal mites in the nasal passage, the end of the nostrils, or the sinus cavity.
A nasal flushing may also be performed. This entails flushing the nasal chambers, moving the mites to the upper part of the throat behind the nose. When that occurs, the nasal fluid will be collected and examined. The presence of mites in the discharge will be looked for. Scoping in the nasal passage may also be done at that time to see if the mites are present.
Nasal mites may also be found in any discharge the dog may sneeze out in the examination room. Imaging such as dental x-rays, nasal and sinus x-rays or CT scans may be used to look for the presence of mites. Urine tests, bloodwork, and nasal biopsies may also be performed.
Nasal mites in dogs treatment includes:
Ivermectin
Be extremely careful when administering this; a very small overdosage of this medication can be fatal. We’ve covered Ivermectin poisoning here.
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