RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To explore epidemiological features of demodicosis relevant to UK veterinary general practitioners. Breed risk factors were proposed as distinct between juvenile-onset and adult-onset disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study used anonymised clinical data on dogs under primary veterinary care at practices enrolled in the UK VetCompass Programme. Case inclusion required recording of a final demodicosis diagnosis for a dermatological condition that was present during the 2013 study period. Risk factor analysis used multivariable logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: In dogs aged <2 years (juvenile-onset), the 1-year period prevalence was 0.48% (95% confidence interval: 0.45 to 0.52). Compared with crossbred dogs, seven breeds showed increased odds of diagnosis with demodex: British bulldog, Staffordshire bull terrier, Chinese shar-pei, dogue de Bordeaux, pug, French bulldog and boxer. Additionally, six breeds showed reduced odds of juvenile demodicosis: Lhasa apso, bichon frise, Labrador retriever, German shepherd dog, shih-tzu and Chihuahua. In dogs aged >4 years (adult-onset), the 1-year period prevalence was 0.05% (95% confidence interval: 0.0.04 to 0.06). Six breeds showed increased odds of demodicosis compared with crossbred dogs: Chinese shar-pei, shih-tzu, West Highland white terrier, pug, boxer and Border terrier. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Juvenile-onset demodicosis is much more common (about 10 times higher) than the adult-onset form. Knowledge of the predisposed breeds for these two presentations can assist with diagnosis and support the concept of distinct aetiopathogenetic phenotypes.
