Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites that invade the skin of dogs. There are two major forms of mange in dogs, each caused by different mites: Sarcoptic Mange (also known as scabies) and Demodectic Mange (also known as red mange or demodex) .
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Sarcoptic Mange is caused by a circular-shaped, eight-legged mite called the Sarcoptes scabiei. This form of mange is highly contagious and can be transmitted to humans and other animals that come in contact with an infected dog. Symptoms of Sarcoptic Mange include severe itching, hair loss, and inflammation.
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Demodectic Mange is caused by a parasitic mite (Demodex canis or Demodex injal) that lives in the hair follicles of dogs. All normal dogs (and many humans) have a few of these mites on their skin. As long as the bodys immune system is functioning properly, these mites cause no harm. Demodectic mange most often occurs when a dog has an immature immune system, allowing the number of skin mites to increase rapidly. This disease occurs primarily in dogs less than 12 to 18 months of age. Symptoms of Demodectic Mange include patches of hair loss, red, scaling skin, and in generalized cases, the entire body may be covered with redness, infections, scaling, swelling, and crusts. Often the dog loses most, if not all, hair.
Mange is diagnosed by a veterinarian who will take a skin scraping and look for mites under a microscope. Treatment of mange in dogs depends on the type of mange and the severity of the condition. Both Sarcoptic and Demodectic Mange can be treated with medication prescribed by a veterinarian.
