Efficacy of milbemycin oxime in the treatment of canine generalized demodicosis: a retrospective study of 99 dogs (1995-2000)

Ninety-nine dogs diagnosed with generalized demodicosis were treated with milbemycin oxime. Cases diagnosed before two years of age were classified as juvenile-onset (53%) and those diagnosed after two years of age as adult-onset (47%). Dogs were considered cleared of mites when none could be demonstrated in scrapings and cured if no relapse was seen for 12 months. Eighty-five per cent (84/99) were cured with milbemycin oxime used for 1-6 months (mean 2.3 months) at a dosage of 0.5-1.6 mg kg-1 body weight (mean 0.75 mg kg-1). No significant difference in dosage or treatment time was seen between juvenile and adult cases. Chance of cure was significantly better in young animals (cured cases mean age 2.97 years) than in older animals (not cured cases mean age 8.02 years). Start of treatment early in the course of disease gave a significantly better chance of cure. Cases with severe pododemodicosis had less chance of a cure (9/11 not cured).