Mange is a skin disease caused by parasitic mites. If you suspect that your dog has mange you should visit your veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis and receive treatment.
Demodectic Mange
The most common form of mange in dogs is demodectic mange, which is sometimes called demodex, and lives on the hair follicles of dogs. All dogs carry demodectic mites at one time or another, and as long as the dog's immune system is healthy, these mites will cause no problems to your dog. Demodectic mange occurs most often in dogs with an immature or suppressed immune system. Dogs under the age of 18 months, whose immune systems are not matured, are most prone to demodectic mange. Very old dogs, whose immune systems may not be as healthy due to advanced age, are sometimes also susceptible to demodectic mange. If an adult dog has demodectic mange, it is caused by a defective immune system, which may be a sign of a more severe problem.
The disease is not contagious and is generally not itchy, but there is hair loss, usually beginning on the face and spreading, in patches of bald spots, from there. Also, demodectic mange can cause red inflamed skin, which is how the term red mange came into use to describe this disease. Mange can be localized or general. Localized mange can be treated with a topical medication applied to the affected areas. Generalized mange, which has spread from patches here and there to cover large areas of the dog's skin, can be treated with dips, special shampoos and, sometimes, oral medication or injections. If mange is generalized, the dog is susceptible to other skin afflictions like bacterial or yeast infections. Any secondary skin infections must be treated in addition to treating the mange.
The prognosis with localized demodectic mange is generally successful, using topical medication. If the dog's immune system is compromised, however, demodectic mange may not respond to treatment.
There is really no way to prevent demodectic mange, since the demodectic mite is normally harmless to a healthy dog with a mature immune system. Keeping your dog healthy and well-fed is your best defense against demodectic mange.
Sarcoptic Mange
Sarcoptic mange is a skin disease caused by the sarcoptes scabiei mite, which burrows under the skin. This disease is sometimes referred to as canine scabies. The sympoms of sarcoptic mange are severe itching and hair loss. Small red pustules with a yellow crust can sometimes also be seen. The itching worsens in warmer environments. The sarcoptic mange mite prefers areas with less hair like ears, legs and the belly.
The diagnosis of sarcoptic mange can be confirmed with a skin scraping seen under a microscope, but since this test has a high incidence of false negative results, most vets will make the diagnosis by looking at the symptoms and the dog's response to treatment.
There are several safe and effective sarcoptic mange treatments including topical solutions, oral medications and injections. Since the life cycle of a sarcoptic mite is 2 to 3 weeks, all treatments must continue for at least 4 weeks to be sure the treatment is successful. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious, so all other dogs that come in contact with the infected dog must also be treated. The sarcoptic mite can live off the host for several days. Because of this, the dog's environment must be treated with a residual insecticide. It is best to get rid of the dog's bedding to avoid re-infection. As with demodectic mange, sarcoptic mange can also pave the way for secondary skin infections.
The prognosis for sarcoptic mange is excellent if the dog and its environment are properly treated.
It is difficult to prevent sarcoptic mange, since the mite can live off its host for days and a dog can pick it up without having to come in contact with an infected animal. However, keep your dog away from fox dens as foxes are known to carry the mite.
Although sarcoptic mange mites prefer dogs, they can infect humans, causing an itchy rash on wrists and other areas. The disease is very irritating, but is temporary in humans since the mite cannot complete its life cycle in a human host and dies within two weeks. If you suspect you have been infected, see your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and receive medication to relieve the symptoms.
A healthy, clean well-fed dog is less likely to become susceptible to opportunistic parasites like those that cause mange.