How does a subcutaneous mite infection in dogs begin? - briefly
The infection begins when larval stages of subcutaneous mites enter the skin after the dog contacts contaminated environments or infested animals. The larvae then migrate into the dermis, where they mature and produce characteristic lesions.
How does a subcutaneous mite infection in dogs begin? - in detail
Subcutaneous infestation by mites in dogs starts when adult female parasites penetrate the skin surface and deposit eggs within the dermal layer. The process can be divided into several stages.
• Contact with contaminated environment – soil, bedding, or grooming tools harboring infective stages.
• Migration of larvae or nymphs to hair follicles or skin pores, facilitated by warm, humid conditions.
• Penetration of the epidermis by mature females, driven by enzymatic secretion that dissolves keratin.
• Deposition of eggs in the subdermal tissue, where they hatch into larvae that remain concealed beneath the skin.
• Progressive development of larvae into nymphs and adults, causing localized swelling, nodules, and inflammatory responses.
Primary risk factors include close contact with infested animals, exposure to outdoor habitats with high mite density, and compromised skin integrity due to trauma or dermatological disease. Early colonization often goes unnoticed because the parasites reside beneath the skin, making clinical signs appear only after substantial tissue invasion. Prompt identification relies on fine‑needle aspiration of nodules and microscopic examination of extracted mites.