What Is Mange?

Mange refers to skin diseases caused by mites. The term is derived from a French word mangeue, which translates into “to eat or itch.” Mange, caused by different kinds of mites, affects many kinds of animals, including humans.

In dogs, there are two major forms of mange, each caused by different mites:

  • Sarcoptic Mange (also known as scabies)
  • Demodectic Mange (also known as red mange or demodex)

    Sarcoptic Mange

    Also known as canine scabies, this disease is caused by a circular-shaped, eight-legged mite called the Sarcoptes scabiei. This form of mange is highly contagious. The parasite can be transmitted from dog to dog and can pass from dogs to humans, although it doesn’t thrive on non-canine hosts. Female mites burrow into the skin to lay their eggs. The eggs hatch in about three weeks, and the young feed on the host’s skin.

    Symptoms of Sarcoptic Mange

    Symptoms will generally appear about 10-days-to-8-weeks after contact with a dog carrying scabies. Typically, the first signs of the infection will be on the margins of the ears, chest, elbows, hocks, and belly. Untreated, they can quickly spread. The most common symptoms of sarcoptic mange include:

    • Extreme itchiness
    • Redness and rash
    • Thick yellow crusts
    • Hair loss
    • Bacteria and yeast infections
    • Thickening of the skin (advanced cases)
    • Lymph node inflammation (advanced cases)
    • Emaciation (extreme cases)

      Treatment of Mange In Dogs

      dog getting bath

       

      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.