What causes sarcoptic mange?
Sarcoptic mange is caused by a mite that burrows just beneath the surface of the skin. It may also crawl around on the skin surface. The mite feeds on material in and on the skin.
What does it do to the dog?
The presence of the sarcoptic mite causes severe itching. The dog will chew and scratch its skin constantly. This leads to the loss of large amounts of hair, especially on the legs and belly. Eventually, the skin will become thickened and will darken due to pigmentation.
Is it contagious?
Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious to other dogs; it is also contagious to humans, and is known as scabies. The dog’s bedding should be discarded or if this is not possible, it should be regularly washed in hot water with bleach or one of the specific anti-scabies shampoos. Although the mites are not able to complete their life cycle on humans, they will cause quite a bit of itching before they finally die. If you have developed an itch and your dog has scabies contact your family doctor to discuss the various treatment options available.
How is sarcoptic mange diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made by a skin scraping that is examined under the microscope. However if only a small number of mites are present on the dog all skin scrapings may be negative. A presumptive diagnosis is then made because the signs are so suspicious and treatment is commenced without the confirmation of a skin scraping. Age is not a significant factor in sarcoptic mange. Although most common in puppies, it affects dogs of all ages.
How is it treated?
There are several insecticides which are effective against this mite. Various dips and shampoos and medications are available. Your veterinary surgeon will discuss the correct medication for your pet. It is important to remember that all in contact animals may need to be treated.