Sarcoptic mange is a non-seasonal, intensely itchy and highly contagious parasitic skin disease caused by a tiny, spider-like mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. The layman’s term for this condition is “mange”. Another name for sarcoptic mange is “scabies.” Parasitic sarcoptic mites burrow into the dog’s skin and cause extreme itchiness, which in medical terms is called “pruritis.” This in turn leads to scratching, biting and chewing, and subsequent skin inflammation, redness and hair loss, in the affected areas. Secondary bacterial infections are also common.
Adult Sarcoptes scabiei mites are between 0.3 and 0.5 millimeters in size, which is very small. They are roughly circular in shape, with no distinctive head. These mites have 4 pairs of legs, which are uniformly short. Female sarcoptes mites are about twice as large as males. The female mites are responsible for most of the symptoms suffered by infected dogs.
Sarcoptic mange is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be transmitted by and between people and animals. Dogs affected with Sarcoptes scabiei can pass the parasitic infection to people, and people infected with the parasites can transmit them to dogs.
Sarcoptic mange is caused by the tiny parasitic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. The clinical signs of infestation by these mites are caused when the mites burrow through the outer layers of the dog’s skin and cause intense itchiness (pruritis) from mechanical irritation and from the release of irritating, allergenic substances. Infection by Sarcoptes scabiei mites is extremely contagious. Close direct contact by an unaffected dog with an infected dog, especially in animal shelters, boarding kennels, dog
Infestation with the mites that cause sarcoptic mange leads to an intense and sudden onset of extreme skin itchiness, which is called “pruritis.” Affected dogs will scratch, bite and chew at affected areas in an attempt to relieve the discomfort caused by these bothersome parasites. There is probably no other skin disease that will cause a dog to scratch and bite at her skin as much as sarcoptic mange. The itchiness is caused by the
Dogs infested with sarcoptic mites will present to the veterinarian with a history of the sudden onset of intense itchiness (pruritis), and probably also with red, raw skin sores and thick crusted areas caused by self-trauma from the dog’s effort to alleviate the itchiness. The most common method of diagnosing Sarcoptes scabiei infection is by treating the dog with a topical medication that specifically targets and kills these mites. It is called a “scabicidal” medication,
The primary therapeutic goal of treating a dog with sarcoptic mange is to get rid of the nasty infective mites. Because infestation by these mites is highly contagious, all nearby dogs should be assessed and treated, even if they do not show signs of discomfort or distress. Treatment almost always should be done under strict veterinary supervision.Dogs with sarcoptic mange will be washed with a specialized shampoo, probably a benzoyl peroxide product, to loosen the