Mange in Dogs Causes
Mange in dogs is due to the presence of mites that are parasitic. A parasitic mite lives off of the host animal. Mites are a tiny animal that burrows its way in to a mammal’s hair follicles or under the mammal’s skin. The presence of parasitic mange in your dog will manifest by the dog being quite uncomfortable because the mites cause intense itchiness of the skin. The dog will try to relieve the itchiness by scratching at its skin with its paws. In addition a dog will bite at their skin to try to relieve the itchiness. Due to the consistent scratching at the parasitic mites; the dog may begin to have hair or fur loss.
Four types of Mange
There are four types of mange in dogs. Sarcoptic mange is contagious. It quickly transfers to other dogs, cats, and other domestic and wild animals. Sarcoptic mite mange causes an allergic reaction causing the skin of the dog to become crusty. The dog will bite and scratch at their skin making it more irritated. Left untreated the skin often develops other infections due to the open sores from the scratching and biting from the dog. Dogs with Sarcoptic mange must have treatment at the first sign of the condition. Typically this type of mange is first noticed on the ears and joints of the dog. The dog should be isolated from all other animals to avoid the transfer of the mites to another host. If the dog is showing symptoms of scratching and biting the skin; then it is best to begin treatment quickly. A veterinarian can determine the mange condition by examining a skin sample scraping with a microscope.
Another type of mange in dogs is red mange or demodicosis mange. Fortunately many dogs have developed natural immunity to demodicosis mange. Occasionally a dog with other health conditions or an older dog’s immune system cannot control the invasion of demodicosis mange. The dog will have itchiness symptoms with this type of mange. They will scratch at it and lose patches of hair or fur on their bodies and face. If the red mange condition is localized they will have four missing spots of hair or less. A generalized red mange condition will have more areas of hair and fur loss. Fortunately dogs with demodicosis mange do not have to be kept away from other animals. Occasionally a puppy will develop this type of mange due to drinking the mother dog’s milk. As the puppy gets older its own immune system will fight off this variety of mange.
The third type of mange in dogs is caused by cheyletiella mites. Cheyletiella mites are large enough to see without a microscope. Unfortunately cheyletiella mites transfer to other animals and humans. A nickname for cheyletiella mange is dandruff mange. After brushing a dogs fur; place the brush over a dark piece of paper or fabric and shake the brush. Often tiny white flakes will land on the paper. Watch to see it the tiny flakes move around. Moving flakes are a sign of cheyletiella mites.
The last type of mange in dogs is otodectic mange. Otodectic mange is a condition of ear mites. This mange is localized to the ear; usually the inner ear. It causes intense itching for the dog. The dog will attempt to get rid of the ear mites by scratching the ears.
Mange in dogs can be treated by using products from Evolution Supply; a company that specializes in pet care. This company’s unique approach to eradicating mange mites is to treat the mange symptoms while improving the dog’s immune system. Their mange healing kit includes a natural shampoo for bathing the dog. In addition, the mange healing kit includes a medicated spray to use around the house and on the dog to kill mange mites. A jar of digestive enzyme is also included to assist in healing the dog’s skin by improving its immune system. Additional Evolution Supply products are available to eradicate mange and treat the damaged skin. Increase the dog’s immune system by using their Alaskan salmon oil with CoQ10 to improve the dog’s circulation, heart, and immune system.