What is Dog Mange
Dog Mange is an inflammatory disease which is caused by different kinds of mites. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed that there are genetic factors that predispose a dog to developing mange. When the amount of mites living on the hair follicles and skin of the dog become excessive it may lead to skin lesions, genetic disorders, complications in the immune system, and/or significant hair loss. The symptoms of dog mange depend on the type of mite that inhabits the dog.
There are three types of mange
There are three types of mange demodectic, cheyletiella, and sarcoptic Demodectic mange is caused by the demodex canis mite. This ype of mange is more common in puppies. There are no symptoms and it isn’t yet known what causes them to activate. Cheyletiella mange is known as walking dandruff. It is contagious, but short lived. The dog will suffer with dandruff over its head, neck, and back. Sarcoptic mange is known as scabies. The female mites burrow under the skin and lay eggs which causes intense itching. The eggs hatch and within a few weeks they begin laying their own eggs. The dog responds by digging and biting their skin, which causes oozing sores and infections.
Dog mange can be localized and affect a single area of the body. It can also be generalized and affect the whole body. Localized mange has usually mild symptoms. The lesions are gathered in patches particularly on the face, trunk, or legs. Generalized dog mange covers more area on the body. Alopecia is a very common symptom of generalized mange, there is also redness of the skin and scale like scabs and lesions.
Most puppies are born with mites from the mother. The mange however should heal on its own within a month as their immune system matures. Signs of mange are not clear until the infestations grow. To diagnosis mange skin scraps are taken. Plucked hairs help to identify the mite that caused the condition. A urine test can be used to determine problems caused by a disorder with the dog’s metabolic system and infections in the hair follicle.