Mange and Your Dog
We have dealt with Mange on our intake dogs from the shelter. We would like to share with you on this medical problem.
Mange in dogs is a serious skin condition caused by different types of tiny, parasitic mites. An infestation of mites on dogs – mange – can lead to uncomfortable itching, scratching, hair loss, infection and other unpleasant symptoms. Extreme cases of mange can even be life-threatening
Our Mange Symptom Checker will help you recognize the signs of each type of dog mange (there are 3) and identify the mite causing it.
Demodectic Mite – also called Demodex, Red Mange,
Demodicosis, Puppy Mange
Sarcoptic Mite – also called Black Mange,
Canine Scabies
Cheyletiella Mite – also called Cheyletiellosis, Walking Dandruff
There are some general symptoms that may be present in all types of mange such as itching, dry skin, hair loss, redness, bumps, flakes, inflammation, thickened skin, crusts, and skin discoloration. But treatment varies with the type of mite so it is important to know which species is responsible for your dog’s condition.
Read through all the Symptoms and Indicators for the 3 types of mange below.
If your dog has 3 or more “Red Flag” symptoms or indicators for one of the mange types, there’s a strong probability you’ve found the culprit.
How Is Sarcoptic Mange Diagnosed?
A veterinarian will take one or more skin scrapings and look under a microscope for the presence of eggs or mites. Sometimes, however, no mites appear in the skin samples although the symptoms strongly suggest an infestation.
Both scabies and demodex will require treatments to heal the skin and control the mites. Some people are tempted to treat the condition without expert guidance, but it’s prudent to see a veterinarian because even a mild case can grow quickly. Treatments for both forms of mange include several strategies:
- Hair clipping
- Dipping to cleanse and heal skin: Baths in medicated shampoos on a weekly basis will help heal and soften skin.
- Mite eradication and control: Topical applications of compounds to kill the mites, such as selamectin and imidacloprid-moxidectin formulations, over a period of several weeks have been shown to be effective. Oral treatments are also sometimes used.
