by Julie Helms

Created on: February 13, 2009   Last Updated: February 19, 2009

If your dog begins to show signs of patchy fur and excessive itching the culprit could be mange. Canine mange is a general term used for several skin conditions in dogs caused by mites: sarcoptic mange and demodectic mange.

-Sarcoptic Mange-

*Description and Symptoms:

Sarcoptic mange, also called scabies, is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. The female mite burrows under the skin to lay her eggs, causing intense itching. The eggs hatch, mature and lay their own eggs creating a cycle of increasing discomfort for the dog. Common sites affected are the face, ears and elbows. The dog will chew and scratch the area for relief. The constant scratching leads to hair loss and a thickening of the skin. Another symptom is head shaking and tender, crusty or swollen ear tips. If left untreated scabbing and pyoderma, a bacterial skin inflammation of pus-filled lesions, develops that also must be treated.

Scabies is highly contagious to other mammals including humans. The mite cannot complete its life cycle on humans so an infestation will resolve itself in about three weeks. However, a dog must be treated.

*Diagnosis and Treatment:

Diagnosis of sarcoptic mange can be made by microscopically examining a skin scraping of the affected area. In more advanced stages where a secondary infection has begun the results will be masked so diagnosis is based on the dog's history and symptoms.

Mange treatment is accomplished with an oral or injectable form of Ivermectin, given in several doses. This is an off-label use of this drug, but it has been safely administered to dogs for mange. Collies, shelties and other herding breeds can be sensitive to Ivermectin so a different miticide, such as Paramite, is used with those breeds. All animals in the home need to be treated even if they are asymptomatic. Scabies is highly contagious so it should be assumed everybody has it.

Steroids, such as cortisone, are used to ease the inflammation and itching. If the dog has a secondary bacterial infection it can be treated with topical antibiotics. It is this bacterial infection that will take the longest to heal.

-Demodectic Mange-

*Description and Symptoms:

Demodectic mange, also known as demodicosis or red mange, is caused by the mite Demodex canis. This mite is found in almost all puppies and is passed from the mother to the puppy during the first week of life through direct contact only. The mite cannot live off the dog so the environment, such as bedding, will not spread it. The puppy's immune system

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