Generalized demodecosis in three sibling, juvenile rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis)

One female and two male 4-mo-old, sibling rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) presented with severe generalized dermatitis characterized by nonpruritic, nonalopecic, mildly encrusted, focally, ulcerated pustular nodules. The dorsum, limbs, and dorsal cranium were most severely affected. Skin scrapings, histopathology, and scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of various life stages of a novel Demodex sp. As a result of the generalized nature of infestation, treatment began with ivermectin and then changed to doramectin, at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg s.c. every 7 days. Weekly skin scrapings and intermittent blood work, including serum protein electrophoresis, were used to evaluate treatment response. Complete resolution, as determined by two consecutive negative skin scrapings, was noted in all three hyraxes within 10-14 wk.