Abstract
The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the antioxidant status and plasma level of
iron, zinc, copper, manganese and calcium levels in Demodex Canis infected dogs and the correlation
between them, a total of 17 dogs clinically and laboratory diagnosed by skin scraping test and 6 healthy
dogs as control were included in this study. Results showed a higher significant level of total antioxidant
capacity (TAC) (P<0.01), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P< 0.05), malondialdehyde (MDA) (P< 0.01),
and iron level (P< 0.05) in infected dogs than healthy ones, on the contrary; the level of zinc (P < 0.05),
and copper (P <0.05) were lower in infected than healthy dogs. For correlation analysis, there were
a negative correlation between the activities of antioxidant enzymes; SOD with zinc and copper level
(P< 0.05), also there was a negative correlation between MDA and iron level, the levels of calcium or
manganese have on significant alteration between healthy control and diseased dogs, at the same
time; sexes has no any significant effect on oxidative indices nor trace elements concentration in both
healthy nor Demodex Canis infected dogs. This study proved that, Demodex Canis infected dogs has a
high significant alteration in oxidative status and a significant imbalance in trace element as copper,
zinc, and iron, and that can be considered as a cause or secondary consequences of oxidative stressrelated
pathogenesis in hair follicles and sebaceous glands in skin that associated with demodicosis,
and antioxidant provision and zinc with copper is of high importance in treatment of demodicosis of
dogs beside acaricide drugs.