Written by Dr. Gloria KuMange is a scary word because it has connotations of disease, infestation, and being contagious! So naturally, we all sort of recoil from the thought of it being an issue for our pets. Turns out there are several types of mange. The one that we can catch is called Sarcoptic Mange and is thankfully less common than Demodectic Mange.
Mange is caused by a mite, and most mites are associated with a
specific species and do not cross over (i.e. cats get cat mites, dogs get dog
mites, etc.). Unfortunately Sarcoptic
Mange can cross over, and that’s why we can get it too. But luckily, it is far less common in our
practice than Demodectic Mange.
Demodex mites cause Demodectic Mange. These mites are microscopic and live deeper
in the skin below the surface, so they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Cats have their own species of this mite, as
do people. Most of the time, in cats and people, the mite is harmless and in
relatively low numbers. Dogs also have
their own species of this mite (and therefore it is not contagious to people or
cats). Most of the time it is also found naturally on your dog, in low
numbers. But sometimes it can lead to
hair loss, secondary skin infections, and itchiness, particularly in young dogs
with an immature immune system.
A diagnosis is usually made with a technique called a skin
scraping. A small amount of the surface
of the skin is disturbed with a blunt blade, and the material that is lifted is
examined under a microscope. The mite
has a distinctive look and is not hard to find if present.
In young dogs, we often
will treat small lesions with a topical ointment, or if it is more widespread,
we can use an oral medication like Bravecto or Nexgaurd for a few months to
control the infection until the puppy’s own immune system can control the mite
population and the secondary skin lesions resolve. Some breeds seem to be more susceptible in
general, such as Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Shar
Pei dogs. But it is important to
realize that any dog can be affected, especially as a puppy. In some cases, adult dogs may also have
symptoms with Demodectic Mange and require treatment. In these cases we will often look for other
underlying causes for immunosuppression in case that is making the dog more
susceptible, and try to treat that as well.
In cases where secondary bacterial infection is present, antibiotics may
also be required.
In most cases, the mites can be treated, and although it may take
a few months, the skin and coat should return to normal. At least in this case, the mites are not
contagious, and there is no need to recoil from the diagnosis, should your pet
be given one of… Demodectic Mange!
**THANK YOU KALI FOR LETTING US SHARE YOUR PICTURES!**
