What to do if your dog has mange

Mange in dogs is a skin disease caused by microscopic mites living on the skin or in hair follicles, leading to hair loss, itchiness, and skin irritation. The two main types of mange in dogs, sarcoptic and demodectic, have different causes and are treated differently. An accurate diagnosis is needed from a veterinarian for effective mange treatment in dogs. If you have a dog, read on to learn:

• The different types of mange in dogs
• What canine mange looks like
• How dogs get mange
• How to treat mange in dogs

Dogs that are diagnosed with mange are treated with topical or oral medications that target external parasites. However, severe cases of demodectic mange raise concern about the affected dog’s immune system and may indicate a need for additional diagnostics or treatment. Mange can be very uncomfortable and highly contagious, and it can even become life-threatening, so it’s important to seek prompt veterinary care to accurately diagnose and treat mange in dogs.

Mange is a skin disease caused by external parasites that leads to skin irritation and hair loss. There are many different types of mange dogs can experience. The main two types of mange in dogs are sarcoptic and demodectic mange. Other than sharing hair loss as a symptom, sarcoptic and demodectic mange are very different conditions with different symptoms and underlying causes.

Sarcoptic mange (scabies)

Sarcoptic mange, also known as scabies, is caused by the microscopic parasite Sarcoptes scabiei, or sarcoptic mite. Female sarcoptic mites burrow beneath the skin to lay eggs. The burrowing and movement of mites on and beneath the skin is intensely itchy for the affected dog. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious between animals and spreads through direct contact with infested animals.

Demodectic mange (red mange, demodicosis)

Demodectic mange, also known as red mange or demodicosis, occurs when large numbers of  demodectic mites inhabit the hair follicles. There are many different species of demodectic mites that can cause mange, but the most common species found in dogs is Demodex canis. Demodectic mites, also known as Demodex mites, are present on nearly all dogs and are considered normal in small numbers. Demodectic mange occurs when the population of demodectic mites becomes abnormally large.

Demodicosis is categorized by where on the body symptoms are observed and how old the patient is:

• Localized demodicosis: isolated hairless patches of skin in no more than two locations
• Generalized demodicosis: extensive bald patches all over the body
• Juvenile-onset: the affected dog is under the age of two years
• Adult-onset: the affected dog is older than two years of age

Localized juvenile-onset demodicosis is the most common form and is a common cause of small patches of hair loss in puppies. It occurs when puppies get Demodex mites from their mother and the population grows to an abnormally large size due to a puppy’s immature immune system. Up to 50% of puppies with localized juvenile-onset demodicosis recover spontaneously without treatment as their immune systems grow stronger.

Generalized demodicosis is a very serious disease that can affect the entire body, both in puppies and adults. Prior to the development of modern therapies, it was extremely difficult to treat, and many affected dogs were euthanized. Since a healthy immune system usually keeps the population of Demodex mites in check, affected dogs may have another underlying health problem interfering with immune system function, which may impact the diagnosis, treatment plan, and outcome.

Even though Demodex mites can spread from one dog to another, demodectic mange is not considered a contagious disease. While mites may get transferred to a new host, they don’t usually cause any noticeable symptoms.

Both forms of mange lead to patches of hair loss on the body. Hair loss can range in severity from a single, small hairless patch to multiple patches, large patches, or the entire body losing hair. It’s impossible to tell what kind of mange a dog has simply by appearance, but a veterinarian may suspect one form of mange over the other based on the history of symptoms and possible exposure.

Signs of sarcoptic mange in dogs

Symptoms of sarcoptic mange include:

• Extremely itchy skin
• Hair loss
• Thickened or crusty skin
• Lesions and wounds on the skin
• Oily dandruff

Dogs with sarcoptic mange are often so itchy that it interferes with their daily lives. A severely itchy dog cannot sleep comfortably and will regularly wake up to scratch, or stop running or playing to scratch. Lesions and hair loss associated with sarcoptic mange typically start on the abdomen, chest, ears, elbows, and hocks but can quickly become generalized if left untreated. Dogs with sarcoptic mange often develop secondary skin infections and open wounds on the skin from excessive scratching that may have additional symptoms, such as:

• Greasy, scaly skin
• Skin with a foul odor
• Red, inflamed skin
• Oozing or bleeding skin

Signs of demodectic mange in dogs

Symptoms of demodectic mange include:

• Mild itching
• Hair loss
• Crusty skin
• Skin sores or scrapes

Demodectic mange can vary in severity depending on whether it’s localized or generalized. Localized demodicosis presents with isolated patches of hair loss in no more than two locations. If multiple areas of the body are affected, it’s considered generalized demodicosis. Dogs with demodectic mange often develop secondary fungal and bacterial infections on the skin that can lead to more severe itching and other skin symptoms. Adult dogs with demodectic mange often have an underlying medical condition or take medications that negatively affect their immune system. These conditions may have their own symptoms in addition to the mange symptoms.

Sarcoptic mange mites are spread through direct contact with an infected animal or by being in an environment where an infected animal has recently been. Sarcoptic mites can only survive in the environment for around 36 hours without a host, so direct contact is the primary form of transmission.

Healthy dogs with fully functional immune systems naturally have small numbers of Demodex mites in their hair follicles. Demodectic mange is common in puppies under one year of age and can spontaneously resolve on its own when their immune system strengthens. Demodectic mange may also occur if a dog is experiencing a health issue or taking medication that lowers their immune system, allowing the mite population to increase.

“It is impossible to know what is causing a dog’s skin symptoms simply by appearance,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on Vetster. “Conditions, such as flea allergy dermatitis, food allergies, ear mites, bacterial skin infections, and mange all have similar symptoms.” In addition to taking a thorough history and doing a complete physical exam, vets rely on diagnostic testing to determine the reason for a dog’s itchy rash or hair loss, including:

• Microscopic examination of skin cells and hair
• Fungal culture
• Fecal test
• Bloodwork
• Skin biopsy

Diagnosing sarcoptic mange can be difficult because false negative results on skin scrapings are common. Since even small numbers of mites can cause serious disease, they may not be present in the samples examined. However, because sarcoptic mange is so common and contagious, a therapeutic trial of antiparasite medication may be recommended..

Diagnosing demodectic mange is fairly straightforward. Abnormally large numbers of Demodex mites and eggs are usually seen on skin and hair samples, confirming demodectic mange. Additional diagnostic tests may be recommended to determine the underlying cause of the immunosuppression that led to the mange symptoms.

The treatment plan for mange in dogs varies depending on type and severity. Medical treatment for sarcoptic mange may include:

• Topical or oral medication for parasites
• Antibiotics for secondary infections
• Anti-itch medications or baths
• Other supportive care for symptoms and skin damage

Unlike flea infestations, sarcoptic mites only survive in the environment for 36 hours, so decontaminating the home is not necessary. However, all other mammalian pets in the home that have contact with the affected dog will need treatment, even if they are asymptomatic. Effective treatment of sarcoptic mange usually takes at least four to six weeks to break the life cycle and kill the entire mite population. If the treatment is stopped too soon, the symptoms will return.

The treatment for demodectic mange depends on whether the mange is localized or generalized and how old the dog is. Localized juvenile-onset demodicosis isn’t usually uncomfortable and often resolves on its own without treatment, but treatment may be recommended if the puppy has symptoms. Generalized demodicosis requires aggressive treatment with topical or oral antiparasitic medications, as well as addressing any underlying health condition causing immunosuppression.

Do not attempt to treat your dog’s skin symptoms without consulting a veterinarian. Other common skin conditions, such as flea allergies, have similar symptoms, so misdiagnosis at home is common. Itchy skin diseases, such as flea allergy dermatitis and scabies, are commonly treated with prednisone, a glucocorticoid steroid. While this medication can provide significant itch relief, it can cause demodectic mange to become much worse or even life-threatening. This illustrates the importance of getting an accurate diagnosis prior to treating an itchy skin rash.

Attempting home treatment delays a definitive diagnosis and proper care and may be dangerous. Human medications can be toxic for dogs, and home remedies such as motor oil can cause severe skin damage. In addition, dogs with generalized demodicosis need veterinary care to address concerns about their immune system.

Is mange in dogs an emergency?

While severe mange of either type can be life-threatening, it takes time to progress to that level. Even though dogs with sarcoptic mange are extremely itchy, mange is usually not an emergency. Prompt veterinary attention is warranted to diagnose the type of mange and any associated conditions and to relieve unpleasant symptoms. It’s also important to remember that sarcoptic mange is highly contagious, so prompt, effective treatment is necessary to prevent its spread to people and other pets in the household.

Talk to a veterinarian any time you notice abnormal changes to your dog’s skin, coat, and behavior. Other skin issues can have similar symptoms, such as intense itching and hair loss, and can lead to secondary skin infections. Since sarcoptic mange is extremely itchy and contagious, veterinary guidance for prompt and thorough treatment is critical. While localized demodectic mange on a puppy may go away on its own, a veterinary visit is necessary to differentiate it from conditions with similar symptoms, as the condition may get worse if ignored.

Dogs with severe mange of either type need veterinary care as quickly as possible, not only to get started on appropriate antiparasitic medications but also to address other associated conditions that are often present. If your dog is itchy or has other skin symptoms, you can talk to an online vet through the Vetster platform to learn more.

What other illnesses look like mange in dogs?

The different types of mange are only a few of the conditions that can cause an itchy rash or hair loss in dogs. Flea allergy dermatitis is very common, as are other allergies. Bacterial and fungal skin infections are also common and often occur alongside both mange and allergies.

How is mange in dogs treated?

The treatment for mange in dogs will vary depending on the type of mange, its severity, and the age of the affected dog. In addition to antiparasitic medications to kill the mites, affected dogs may also benefit from treatment to relieve itch and treat secondary infections. Dogs with generalized demodicosis may need additional treatment if an underlying immunosuppressive disorder is identified.