This disease allows mites from the normal cutaneous biota to proliferate in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands, leading to alopecia, erythema, scaling, hair casting, pustules, furunculosis, and secondary infections.Three morphologically different types of Demodex mites exist in dogs:Published studies indicate similar efficacy of treatment regardless of the type of mite.Effective treatment of generalized demodicosis requires a multimodal approach.Independent of age, it is important to identify and treat any predisposing or contributing factors in order to achieve a successful outcome.Demodicosis may occur in dogs 18 months of age or younger as a result of an immunocompromised state associated with endoparasitism, malnutrition, or health debilitation. Ivermectin (EYE-ver-MEK-tin) is an anti-parasitic medication, and a relatively new animal drug Whether the drug may be safely tolerated depends on the amount of dosage administered The doses in all other off-label uses of Ivermectin may be 50 times higher If ivermectin is given to dogs with a pre-existing heartworm disease, a shock-like reaction, believed to be caused by the sudden death of heartworm larvae (microfilariae) Heartgard®, Iverhart ® (in combination with pyrantel pamoate) 68 μg, 136 μg, and 272 μg flavored/unflavored chewable tablets Ivermectin, with its anti-parasitic property, disables the normal nervous system functioning of the heartworm larva at different stages of development Follow your vet’s dosage instructions, which may vary from one breed to another depending on the dog’s weight and the purpose of the treatment The duration of the medication generally depends on the severity of the condition, your dog’s response to the drug, and the occurrence of adverse effects Before prescribing the drug for preventing heartworm, your dog will be tested for the presence of adult worms first Since the tablets are intended to be chewed, you may split it into pieces to keep your dog from swallowing it whole Low doses of ivermectin usually do not cause any serious side effects Aside from the side effects experienced due to higher doses, multi-drug sensitive dogs may show additional symptoms of Ivermectin poisoning including depression, slow heartbeat, blindness, disorientation, and respiratory distress syndrome Let the vet know your dog’s age, and if it suffers from any health conditions. Severe toxicity can paralyze a dog's legs, cause seizures and tremors, and even put a pet in a coma.Unfortunately, young dogs can be susceptible to ivermectin toxicity at doses as low as 100 micrograms per kilogram. Other breeds may also manifest adverse reactions to Ivermectin, such as:If such side effects are noticed, urgent medical care is needed. Just as the drug can kill parasites in small doses, it can poison dogs, causing a number of neurological symptoms. The dosage for ridding dogs of mites is far higher than for heartworm prevention. Extent and location of skin lesions 3. Demodectic mange can only be transmitted from a mother to a pup while nursing. You know your dog feels his best when you see him leaping in the air and chasing a ball across the yard or stretched out for belly rubs after a long day. The dosage varies between the medicines that contain Ivermectin, so it is necessary to talk to a veterinarian before starting the treatment, as only a veterinarian is able to make dosage suggestions according to the symptoms of the dog.Certain dog breeds, such as Rough Collie, Smooth Collie and Australian Shepherd, feature a genetic mutation of the MDR1 (multi drug resistance) gene. However, for the treatment of mange in dogs, most veterinarians prefer the tablets, as they are easier to administer. Come to find out, as the demodex mite dies, it produces a oily/waxy substance that eventually crusts over.