What do dog mites look like?

Answer 1

Mites are arachnids in the subfamily acarines. They have 8 legs and rounded bodies and can be burrowing (where they burrow under the skin to live/ lay eggs) or non-burrowing (where they feed on dead skin, body secretions etc)

Many species of mite infect dogs:

Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies) - this mite burrows under the skin and causes crusting, hair loss and itchy skin

Demodex canis - this mite lives within hair follicles and can lead to crusting, itching, redness and hair loss

Otodectes cyanotis - the ear mite, a non-burrowing mite found in the ears of cats and dogs, can lead to excess wax (usually brown, sticky and foul smelling)

Chyletiella species - found in dogs, cats and rabbits. Commonly called 'walking dandruff' due to it's white appearance on the animal.

Trombicula larvae (only larvae parasitic) - these crawl onto legs of dogs walking in fields and appear as orange patches when they feed in groups. (Not in UK).

Answer 2

Mites are small ectoparasites that look like small, skin-colored ticks (without the engorged bodies of blood). In many cases you won't see the mites themselves, as they burrow down into the skin and hide beneath all the fur. However, clinical signs of a mite infestation are similar to other skin diseases - raw, red, itchy patches of skin where the hair has been rubbed or scratched away.

Treatment involves parasiticides, which you will need to get from a veterinarian.