Don’t Let Harvest Mites Bite, Warns Lintbells

Harvets Mite (Trombidium holosericeum - 3mm to long) Photo credit Luc Viatour / www.Lucnix.be Animal health professionals are being reminded that now is the time for dog owners to watch out for signs of attack by harvest mite larvae, which can cause severe skin problems at this time of year. The larvae can be recognised as clusters of orange-red dust attached to the dog’s hair. Dr John Howie, co-founder of Lintbells, which makes the natural skin supplement Yumega Plus, said: “Everything seems to be earlier this year due to the weather conditions we’ve had and owners are likely to notice a sudden increase in their dogs itching and scratching, which indicates the harvest mites are active. “Late summer and autumn is when we would expect to see harvest mite activity and an attack can be thoroughly miserable for any dog unfortunate enough to come into contact with these larvae.” The severe itching harvest mites cause can be relieved by the omega 3 and 6 oils found in Yumega Plus. The combination of omega 3 EPA  from fresh salmon oil and omega 6 GLA help to calm the skin, relieving itching and scratching, whilst the omega 6 Linoleic Acid helps to support the skin’s natural moisture barrier, supporting the skin’s health. The addition of natural Vitamin E supports the skin’s defences. In addition, the improvement to coat growth and condition may help create a better physical barrier to harvest mite infestation. Some veterinary flea treatments may be effective when carried out under the direction of a clinician. If left untreated the larvae will feed for a few days and then drop off. Additional relief for dogs that have suffered bites may be found in the Lintbells Silvercare range. This includes Silvercare Skin Cream, which will help clean up the bite and support the healing process and Silvercare Eye Spray, which when sprayed onto bites will provide quick relief and minimise bacteria. The products use the antibacterial properties of silver to provide a natural way to treat bites and cuts. Lucy Millett, Lintbells Veterinary Business Development Executive, added: “The first active stage in the life-cycle of the harvest mite, and the only stage that attacks dogs, is the six-legged larvae. Heavy infestations of these larvae can be found on clods of earth, long grass or matted vegetation and they can be very localised – for example in one garden but not the one next door. They can be found in towns and urban areas as well as the countryside. “When they come into contact with a warm blooded animal they swarm on, congregating in the areas where there is less hair and the skin is thinner. The larvae thrust their small hooked fangs into the skin surface and inject a fluid that liquefies the skin tissue, which the larvae then suck back into their digestive system.” Itching usually develops in a dog within about half a day of exposure but the discomfort can continue for several weeks afterwards. Dogs may rub, bite or scratch the affected area and if the skin is damaged it can become infected. Lintbells recommend a number of measures owners can be advised to take, to try to avoid infestation:

• Exercise the dog early in the morning before harvest mites become active;
• Avoid areas of long grass and vegetation wherever possible;
• Keep moving – the worst infestations will occur if the dog sits or lies down in a sunny spot in the middle of the day;
• Consider using a supplement such as Yumega Plus at this time of year to calm sensitive and itchy skin.

Further information about harvest mites, Yumega Plus and Silvercare products can be found at www.lintbells.com.

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