Idea Exchange: Pluck and scrape

When trying to diagnose demodectic mange, try plucking the hairs around lesions in addition to scraping the skin. Demodex canis is a follicular mite, not a surface mite. When you pluck the hairs, the mites come out of the follicles with them. By using this method, I have found mites more often with less stress, pain, and undesirable cosmetic effects to the patient.

Dr. Curtis Cianci

Tinton Falls, N.J.