Cheyletiellosis in Dogs

Cheyletiellosis (also known as walking dandruff) is a highly contagious skin disease cause by the Cheyletiellosis mite. Dogs are most commonly infected with C yasguri. Young dogs are more often infected although dogs of any age can have these mites. 

The mites live out their entire life cycle (approximately 30 days) on the dog, living on the skin surface keratin. They occasionally burrow their head pincers (known as chelicerae) into the skin & feed on tissue fluids.

How is  Cheyletiellosis transmitted?

Transmission occurs via direct contact with an infected animal. Adult mites can survive for up to 2 days off the host, so it is possible for your dog to become infected from the environment. 

Symptoms of Cheyletiellosis: 

• Itching (although not all dogs exhibit this symptom)

• Redness & inflammation

• Excessive scaling/dandruff

• Hair thinning or loss & crusting along the back

Often the mites can be seen moving around, hence the name 'walking dandruff'. 

Diagnosis of Cheyletiellosis:

Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination of your dog & obtain a medical history. Mites may be seen on the dog with the aid of a magnifying glass. 

Your veterinarian may also perform the following tests:

• Skin scrapings 

• Flea combings 

• Acetate tape preparations

• Mites & or eggs may also be found in fecal samples

Treatment of Cheyletiellosis:

There are several ways to tackle Cheyletiellosis, your veterinarian will recommend the best treatment.

• Weekly dipping with lime sulfur for 6 - 8 weeks. Long haired dogs may need to be clipped.

• Weekly dipping with or pyrethrin for 3-4 weeks. Again, long haired dogs may need to be clipped.

• Ivermectin either given orally or subcutaneously. Herding breeds such as Collies are sensitive to this drug so an alternative treatment may be necessary.

• Frontline or Revolution applied topically.

• The environment will also need to be treated with a suitable insecticide

Can humans become infested with  Cheyletiellosis?

Yes. Skin lesions have been reported in humans.

Please note:

The medical articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for informative purposes only.

Always seek immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or behavioral) in your pets. 

While great care has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.