Chiggers are tiny mites that can affect dogs, people, and other animals. They live on the surface of the skin and feed on skin cells. Unfortunately, their presence causes itching and skin irritation. Here's how dogs get chiggers and how they can be treated and prevented.
Chiggers are the larvae of trombiculid mites found in wooded areas of the U.S. as well as around the world. The larvae live on the skin and inject saliva into the skin to dissolve tissue and create a pool of body fluids to drink from. This causes an extremely itchy skin infestation in dogs, humans, and other affected animals.
Chiggers go by many other names including harvest mites, red bugs, itch mites, heel bugs, black soil itch mites, duck-shooters itch mites, bush mites, berry bugs, and scrub mites, and they all belong to the family Trombiculidae.
Dogs with chiggers show several signs of skin problems, including:
Dogs usually come into contact with chiggers when walking through tall grasses and other vegetation. The mites attach and remain at the points of contact—most commonly on the paws, legs, belly, head, ears, and area under the tail. They are most active in the late summer and fall but may be present all year in warmer climates.
Dogs are often infected when running off-leash. Working dogs, such as hunting dogs and dogs spending most of their time living outdoors, are more commonly affected. Humans and many other animals can also become infected with chiggers directly from the environment, but not from other hosts such as dogs. This most often happens when a human caregiver also walks in the same areas as their dog, or they are both in an infested environment and become infected.
Veterinarians often diagnose chiggers based on a skin scrape, where a sterile blade is used to gently collect skin cells and other debris. The vet will examine them under a microscope to look for parasites and other abnormalities. In some cases, the mites may not be seen on a skin scrape and the vet will recommend additional tests, such as a biopsy.
It's important to have your veterinarian diagnose chiggers before you begin any treatment. Many other skin conditions in dogs such as mange, flea allergies, fungal infections, atopy, or autoimmune diseases can have similar signs but require very different treatments.
Listed below are some common treatments your vet may suggest:
If your vet diagnoses your pup with chiggers, she will likely prescribe a specific medication to kill the mites. Usually the medications used to kill chiggers are topical products containing fipronil and/or permethrin, some of which may be purchased over-the-counter.
In many cases, dogs may also need antibiotics if they have a secondary skin infection. They may prescribe steroids or other anti-inflammatories if the dog has severe skin inflammation. Follow your veterinarian's directions exactly and finish all courses of medications as directed to avoid complications.
Soothing baths may also help to control the itch while you wait for the medication to take effect. Be sure to use water that is lukewarm and not too hot to prevent further drying of the skin. Use a gentle itch-relieving shampoo such as an oatmeal-based product and/or one containing phytosphingosine, which is a moisturizing ingredient that may also reduce inflammation and have antimicrobial properties. This can help strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. Your vet may recommend a medicated shampoo as well.
It's also important to prevent re-infection for your pup. This means keeping your pup away from areas where chiggers live and where it may have become infected in the first place. There are a few ways to prevent chiggers from affecting your dog:
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