Dog Diseases: Mange
Mange is a mild to serious condition caused by several types of parasitic mites. These mites irritate dogs' skin and take residence near or in the hair follicles, causing itching and hair loss. Of the three main types of mange dogs tend to acquire, sarcoptic mange is the one that often raises the most alarm as it is both well-known and contagious. All types of mange, however, can be just as miserable for dogs.
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Types
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There are three types of mange common to dogs: demodectic, cheyletiella, and sarcoptic mange. Sarcoptic and cheyletiella mange are highly contagious, demodectic is not.
Each type is named after the type of mange mite that causes it. Demodectic mange is caused by the demodex mite, sarcoptic mange is caused by a mite called sarcoptic scabie and cheyletiella mange is caused by a larger mite called cheyletiella yasguri.
Features
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Mange is caused by tiny mites that take up residence beneath a dog's skin, preferring to live in the dog's hair follicles. This is why mange causes hair loss, and--especially with the sarcoptic variety--itchiness.
According to Marvistavet.com, demodectic mange easily causes problems for puppies and other dog's with poor, undeveloped immunity to the very common demodex mite.
Both sarcoptic mange and cheyletiella mange are easily spread. Unlike demodectic mange mites, these mites can live for a while away from the animal. Other animals, therefore, can more easily contract sarcoptic or cheyletiella mites. -
Identification
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Hair loss and itching are the first symptoms. Hair loss caused by mange can be small patches, or larger areas all over the dog's body.
Your veterinarian can sometimes identify mange, including the type of mange, by scraping the skin and looking at this sample under a microscope. If identification is difficult, and your vet does not suspect ringworm or other conditions are causing hair loss, she may assume mange and start your dog on appropriate treatment for mange.
Treatment
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Mange is treated by medicated dips, injections, or oral medication. Treatment must be done with care as some breeds can have sensitivities to certain mange-mite killing medicines. Depending on the dog, the type of mange and the treatment, it can take at least a month or longer to get mange under control.
Warning
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Skin infections can accompany mange--watch for inflamed areas, oozing sores and/or a bad odor (which is common to sarcoptic mange). Bacterial infections can become severe and will need treatment.
Because some breeds have extra sensitivity to medicines, including dips, ask your veterinarian before treating your dog at home.
Considerations
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A dog's hair loss can be caused by conditions other than mange, such as nutritional deficiencies or ringworm, a fungal infection.
Dogs with demodectic mange are not contagious to humans. The mites that cause sarcoptic mange in dogs can infect humans. Fortunately these infestations don't tend to last long. This species of scabie prefers creatures other than humans and will die. However, if you develop itchiness or other symptoms after exposure to a dog with mange, talk to your doctor.
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