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What
is mange?
Questions and answers about dogs that have "mange"
Mange is a
general term used to describe mite infestation in dogs, raccoons,
foxes, wolves and other mammals. Demodex mites are often
referred to as mange but so are several other skin mites. They
cause itching (called pruritus), scabs, hair loss, and long term
skin and coat damage. Scabies mites burrow into the skin and
are more difficult to identify than Demodex mites but demodex may be
more resistant to treatment.
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Question:
My dog seems to have patches of hair
missing and even looks like small round areas of fur
have only a few hairs. She isn't real itchy and
shampooing isn't working.
She's about 6 months
old and was like this when we got her. Is this
mange?
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Answer:
Mange... what is it
You seem to be describing a case of Demodex
mites. See the microscopic view below. "Mange"
isn't very specific for what kind of mite is causing the skin
condition. "Mange" mites called demodex can be
contracted from the pup's mother even though she may show no signs
of demodex (called an asymptomatic carrier). Direct contact
with another mite infested dog is possible, too.
Demodex, unlike sarcoptic
mites, called scabies, usually does not cause itchiness or
inflammation of the skin. Most cases of demodex are diagnosed
by a skin scraping and microscopic evaluation. There are
various therapies. The doctor may do a skin fungal culture,
too, to rule out "ringworm"...
which is a confusing term because "ringworm" is caused by
a fungus. |
Doctor's Notes
The major reason
topical flea/tick preventative seems to fail is due
to the owners bathing the pet just prior to applying the
product.
Read the instructions!
Many products work from within the skin's oil layer; if you wash
the oils off, then apply the medication, it will not work!
Most topical products are not
repellants, they kill fleas and ticks on contact with skin oils. |
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Severe
demodex dermatitis |
Demodex...
high power microscopic view |
Severe
flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) |
Chronic
yeast infection of ear tissue |
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too. |
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Question:
My vet diagnosed demodex mites in my 3 year old
Poodle and I heard that she shouldn't be bred because of the demodex
mites.
She only has a few small crusty spots that show up on
occasion so what's the big deal if it doesn't bother her that much?
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 Answer:
Demodex… breeding dogs with
You
may wish to contact a specialist in Veterinary Dermatology about
this since there is some evidence that the immune competence against
Demodex may be an inherited trait. Your breeding bitch may not be able to transmit the genes
needed for the pups to be resistant to Demodex.
As well, she may be a carrier of these mites and show no
signs of Demodex but yet be able to spread it to offspring and other
dogs. You may be able
to have a genetic test done that will confirm a susceptibility to
being unable to mount a good defense against these mites. |
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Question:
Our little Westie seems to scratch herself
almost constantly. She bites and nips at her rump,
forelegs, and even between her toes and sometimes her skin
even gets blood red! Cortisone shots and pills help
for a while, and antihistamines don't do anything for
her.
We've switch brands of food four times. Our
vet whom we really like is frustrated, too, and says she has
allergies and may always have this problem.
Isn't
there anything we can do for her?
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Answer:
Allergies...
food... dermatitis
Although
it is not possible to "cure" allergies, it is often
possible to control the symptoms, especially if secondary problems
are also addressed.
Optimal nutrition and supplements can be very important, too.
New medications, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic
techniques are continually evolving to assist dogs with skin
allergies. About
10% of "allergies" are due to
food ingredients such as beef, chicken, wheat,
corn, etc.
Suggestions:
Long term skin problems...
Ask your veterinarian to refer you to a veterinary
Dermatologist.
Fungal infections of the skin usually are not itchy and can develop
crusts such as in this Pomeranean puppy rescued from a "puppy mill".
Continuous self-trauma and itching
in dogs may be due to burrowing skin mites called scabies or
sarcoptic mites. Frequently mistaken for “an allergy”, sarcoptic
mites seldom show up in skin scrapings.
Evaluate your dog or cat for a skin infection. Bacterial
infections are very common secondary problems to allergies and
can create pruritus (itchiness), hair loss, circular crusty sores
and red spots.
Chronic secondary yeast infections from Malassezia
organisms are often overlooked and must be identified and
eliminated.
Discuss the possibility of Atopic Allergic Dermatitis with your
veterinarian. Dogs of any age can become allergic to inhaled and
contact allergens such as pollens, molds, house
dust, dust mites.
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Doctor's Notes
The term
"MANGE" is not a precise descriptive. In general usage it
often refers to all sorts of skin rashes due to external
parasites. A mangy dog or wolf or coyote describes an
animal with a ragged coat, bald areas, irritated and itchy skin.
In general "MANGE" or "RED MANGE' is due to Demodex canis skin
mites.
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Question:
Our dog seems to always bite at his tail and tries to
lick and chew right where his tail meets his body. He has
little scabs and has shed his fur over his rump and it won't grow
back.
We are treating for fleas and only see a
flea once in a while so it can't be from fleas. What is going
on with him?
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Answer:
FLEAS:
What are they and what to do about...
Fleas are about the size of a comma on a typed
page.
They are brown or copper colored and scoot quickly across the
skin. They have no wings so
do not fly but they sure can jump!
Fleas need to be combated on several fronts... where they
live, where they breed, and where they feed on
their dog and cat victims.
Some dogs have FAD... Flea Allergy Dermatitis, an
extreme allergic reaction to flea saliva that trigger severe itching from
the bite of even a single flea!
If you see an "occasional" flea think
of all the fleas you aren't seeing because these little critters can be
very elusive. And even one flea can set off an allergic reaction
especially in the rear half of the dog's body.
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