Red Mange (Demodicosis) in Boxer Dogs

Demodicosis can occur in two forms— localized and generalized.

The localized form is more common in dogs which are less than a year old. However, the occurrence of the skin problem is not dictated by breed or sex. This form of Demodicosis usually arises as a result of a stressful event to your dog such as illness.

Localized mange can first be noticed due to the thinning of the hair around the front legs, eyelids, mouth, and lips. This type of mange can easily be treated and most animals recover easily after treatment however there are those dogs where the localized infestation may develop into a generalized one.

Generalized Demodicosis can either be an offshoot of the localized form or starts as an acute condition. Unlike the localized form, the generalized type can be classified into a specific category based on the age of the dog upon onset. Thus a generalized form can either be juvenile onset or adult onset category. The main factors that help distinguish the two are the prognosis and the predisposing factors.

A Boxer suffering from the juvenile onset often has a favorable prognosis particularly when their immune system is active and healthy. As a dog ages, their immune system is also able to better combat the effects of Demodicosis and the signs usually disappear when the dogs are about one to three years old.

Adult-onset Demodicosis is often predisposed by illness or therapy that targeted the suppression of the immune system. This form does not have a genetic root. Some of the conditions that can predispose the development of the adult form include endocrine disease, steroid therapy, cancer, or metabolic disease. Dogs with the adult form often have a guarded prognosis which will depend on the underlying cause of the condition.

There are cases of generalized Demodicosis which have been traced to heredity. Thus dogs which have been diagnosed with the condition should be spayed or neutered because both male and female dogs have equal abilities to transmit the genes that can increase the predisposition of the offspring to Demodicosis.