There are two types of mites that cause skin disease in dogs. It is important to determine which mite is present to determine treatment and prognosis. This is done by taking a skin and hair sample and evaluating it microscopically. Demodectic mange (often called “demodex” or “red mange”) is most commonly diagnosed. It is caused by a mange mite that lives in the hair follicles. All dogs have these on their skin, and only those with an immature and/or defective immune system develop a skin issue. In dogs where immaturity is the reason, they are likely to be less than 18 months old, and not likely to have a recurrence in the future. Demodex is not contagious, but a lack of resistance to the mite is genetically inherited. Dogs with Demodex should not be bred. It can cause local or generalized hair loss. In some cases, pets are itchy and their skin is red, while in other cases these symptoms or absent. Signs can depend on the severity of the disease and the presence of a secondary skin infection. Your veterinarian will prescribe a daily oral medication, an antibiotic to treat infection if needed, and possibly a special shampoo. The length of treatment depends on each individual animal’s response. It may resolve in some pets within in a month, while others require several months of medication. Your veterinarian will recommend periodic skin scrapings while treating to check your pet’s progress. Sarcoptic Mange (often called “scabies”) is caused by a mite that burrows just beneath the surface of the skin. It causes intense itching, so the affected animal will constantly scratch, chew, and lick his/her skin. This results in hair loss, and may eventually lead to skin infection and a darkening/thickening of the skin. It is highly contagious to other pets and people. However, it cannot complete its life cycle on a person, so it will die in 2 to 5 days. It can cause a rash and severe itching in the meantime. If a pet has been diagnosed with this form of mange, all bedding he/she comes in contact with should be discarded or washed regularly with hot water and a diluted bleach solution (1 oz per gallon). Treatment consists of weekly oral or injectable medication for a period of time that will be determined by your veterinarian. Your vet may also prescribe a special shampoo or an antibiotic if secondary infection is present. We hope this post was interesting and informative. Please read this article for further information. If you have questions about your pet, please visit our contact page for the best ways to reach us.
