They're back again in late summer and fall – fall mites. They cause allergic reactions in animals and humans, with severe itching and skin inflammation. Find out how to recognize them, treat them, and, ideally, prevent an infestation here.
Autumn grass mites are widespread in gardens, meadows, and green spaces. Adult mites feed on plant debris. They retreat into the soil during droughts, heavy rain, and to hibernate. However, the 0.3-millimeter-long orange larvae crawl up blades of grass and infest animals and humans. They do this in warm, dry weather from July to October. Autumn grass mite larvae use their mouthparts to scratch the top layer of skin, dissolve the tissue with their saliva, and drink it. They do not suck blood. When they are full, they drop to the ground and develop through various nymph stages into adult, vegetarian mites. These in turn lay eggs, from which new larvae hatch.
Autumn grass mite larvae are mainly found on areas of the body that have been in contact with the ground. They seek out warm, thin areas of skin with little hair. In dogs and cats, these are the areas between the toes, the armpits, the groin, the chin, and the folds of the ears. In horses, they are mainly found in the pasterns and on the coronet. However, they can also occur on the nostrils. As long as the larvae are still on the body, they are visible as tiny orange dots. Their bites are not noticeable. However, within the next few days, severe itching develops with wheals forming. This lasts for up to two weeks. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections and skin inflammation. In some cases, more severe allergic reactions occur.
In Northern Europe, autumn grass mites do not transmit any diseases. They are also not transmitted from animals to humans or vice versa.
You can kill autumn grass mite larvae on your pet with a shampoo or spray containing active ingredients. These are available from your vet. Then treat the affected areas of skin with ointments that relieve itching and inhibit inflammation. Prevent your pet from scratching, biting or licking the area, as this will cause the skin to become inflamed and bacteria to settle. If this has already happened, your vet will treat the affected areas with a disinfectant ointment or an antibiotic. Keep the wounds dry afterwards.
Treat your dog or cat's bedding and sleeping areas with a commercially available environmental spray against mites.
You can combat autumn grass mites on lawns with special sprays. Mow the lawn before applying the spray. This increases the effectiveness of the spray on autumn grass mites living on the ground.
The symptoms usually subside within 14 days. In rare cases, wounds infected with bacteria take longer to heal.
There is no approved product for autumn grass mites. However, most flea and tick repellents also protect against autumn grass mites. The active ingredient is often pyrethrum, which occurs naturally in the Chrysanthemum plant genus. Pyrethroids produced in the laboratory, typically permethrin, are even longer-lasting and more effective. Sprays, spot-on treatments, and collars containing the active ingredient are available for dogs and cats. As pyrethroids are toxic to fish, your dog must not go swimming after being treated with them.
Cats are sensitive to permethrin. They also absorb it more when grooming their fur. If the dosage is too high, severe poisoning can occur, which can even lead to death. Therefore, do not use the higher-concentration products intended for dogs on your cat. Even accidental contact with permethrin, for example if a dog and cat live in the same household, poses a risk to cats. Your vet will advise you on which products you can use on your pets and how long they are effective.
The risk of picking up mites is significantly lower in the early morning, at night, or in wet conditions. Therefore, in areas where fall grass mites are prevalent, it is best to only let your cat outside at night from July to October. Only walk your dog in meadows in the early morning, at dusk, or in damp weather. For horses, it makes sense to graze them at night in affected areas. Check your pet regularly for fall grass mite larvae. You can wipe them off with a damp cloth or wash them off the paws or pasterns. For horses, you can use curd soap, salt water, or apple cider vinegar.
Vacuum your dog or cat's bed and all areas where they lie down regularly. Wash all washable items at over 60 degrees.
You can find out for yourself whether autumn grass mites are present in your garden or pasture. To do this, place a white cloth, paper, or plate on the ground. After a while, you will see the orange-colored larvae. Regular mowing and removal of moss and leaves will help reduce autumn grass mites in your garden.
Rabies is a viral infection that has been known for thousands of years. Most mammals, including humans, are susceptible to it, and it can also be transmitted between animals and humans (zoonosis). The infection caused by the rabies virus almost always results in fatal brain inflammation. Rabies is a notifiable animal disease in Germany, which means that even suspected cases must be reported to the competent authorities. Germany has been recognized as free of rabies in non-flying animals since 2008. It continues to occur in bats.
Blood in the ear, which primarily occurs in dogs with drooping ears, refers to a specific type of hematoma in the outer ear. Affected dogs display a sudden swelling and warmth in the ear. In most cases, an underlying disease is the cause of a bloody ear. It is therefore extremely important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian in order to successfully treat the underlying disease and the hematoma itself.
Pigs are sociable animals that can become very attached to humans. With sufficient space and a love for these intelligent creatures, living together can be a great joy. However, anyone considering keeping a mini pig like a cat or dog, i.e. in their home, should first read up extensively on the subject and study the needs of a small pig. These are no different from those of large pigs. Mini pigs are sometimes called "teacup pigs" because a piglet is so small right after birth that it fits in a teacup. But mini pigs grow naturally and quickly gain weight. To keep them happy, a mini pig needs enough space and an outdoor enclosure.
Also known as wet tail disease, this infectious diarrhea mainly affects very young hamsters between three and eight weeks old. It can lead to death within 48 hours and must therefore be taken very seriously.
This chronic inflammatory bowel disease occurs in dogs and cats, with a genetic predisposition suspected in certain dog breeds (boxers, German shepherds). IBD is triggered by an excessive reaction of the immune system, can affect both the small and large intestines, and is incurable.
A balanced and species-appropriate diet is an important part of animal health. There are veterinary practices specializing in animal nutrition and dietetics that can advise on feed selection and composition.
Your cat will undoubtedly come home with minor injuries from time to time – or show signs that it is not feeling entirely well. In such cases, it is good to have a suitable first aid kit at home.
Computed tomography is an imaging technique that is an important diagnostic tool in many modern veterinary practices due to its speed and simplicity, as well as the high diagnostic value of the images it produces.
Summer, sun, sunshine – for many, it's the best time of year. However, even in our latitudes, temperatures are increasingly reaching tropical levels. And with them come annoying insects. The following tips will make life easier for your horse in summer.
Fleas are small, blood-sucking parasites found worldwide. Their enormous jumping ability allows them to move quickly on and between their hosts. This can lead to veritable flea infestations. The most important measure is prevention.
Dirofilaria are long threadworms whose larvae are transmitted by various species of mosquitoes. Depending on the species, they colonize either the skin or the large blood vessels of the lungs, and in severe cases, the heart. This is why they are known as heartworms. Dirofilaria and the mosquitoes that transmit them are mainly found in the Mediterranean region, Eastern Europe, and North America. The disease is brought to Germany by travelers and through the importation of dogs from abroad. Due to the climate-related spread of mosquitoes to the north, it is becoming increasingly important.
Named after Swiss ophthalmologist Johann Friedrich Horner (1831–1886), Horner syndrome is not a separate disease, but rather a complex of various symptoms affecting the eyes of dogs and cats, all of which are caused by damage to the sympathetic nerve.
