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Mange in Dogs
by Shane Jackson MA, Vet MB, MRCVS
The commonest skin parasite of dogs is the flea but other skin parasites do exist and these can cause severe problems for the dog.
Mange is a term that is often misapplied to a number of skin conditions; dogs can be called ‘mangy’ whenever their coat and skin is looking moth-eaten and in poor condition, irrespective of the cause.
True mange is only caused by one of two mites, Sarcoptes scabiei (sarcops) and Demodex. These mites are not insects since they have eight legs and so they are not related to fleas. Unlike the flea, they live their entire life cycle on the host, whereas the flea only jumps onto the dog to feed. Both mites can be seen under a microscope; the flea is visible to the naked eye.
Sarcoptic Mange
Sarcops buries itself into the superficial layers of the skin, but at first this causes very little irritation. It is probable that the host becomes hypersensitive to the secretions of the parasite at some later date, possibly weeks after first becoming parasitized, and at this time intense itchiness develops.
The areas on the body most commonly affected are the pinnae (ear flaps), elbows, hocks and sternum but the mite can migrate anywhere on the dog. The typical sores and baldness that develop are caused by the dog itself as it rubs and nibbles the irritated skin and , if untreated a bacterial skin infection can develop. Any age or breed, and either sex, can be affected and the parasite is readily transmitted by close contact between dogs. Foxes are also a common source of infection.
Diagnosis is made by scraping the surface layer of the skin with a sharp object and looking at the scrapings down a microscope. However mites can be quite elusive and sometimes several scrapings may be required to positively identify the mites.
Various treatments now exist. Historically, shampooing with parasiticides has been the most effective treatment. Ivermectin has been used, although not in Sheep Dogs and Collies as they have an adverse reaction to the drug. Other breeds can sometimes react badly too and therefore this drug is used with extreme caution. These days a spot on treatment such as ‘Stronghold’ has been found the easier, safer and most effective method of treatment. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious and therefore all animals in the house should be treated even if they show no symptoms.
Demodectic mange
Unlike Sarcops, the Demodex mite is a normal inhabitant of the hair follicles of the dog. Usually it exists in very small numbers and therefore causes no problems. In some cases the Demodex population increases dramatically and this leads to damage of the hairs themselves. Hair loss, scaling of the skin and some inflammation and some inflammation may be seen, but there is usually little irritation or itchiness.
A generalised form of the complaint is known where most of the body is affected, however most dogs only have demodectic mange in small patches. Although the mite may be carried by the dog all its life, demodectic mange is usually only seen in puppies or dogs under one year of age. Transmission of the mite most commonly occurs from mother to pup in the neonatal period. Some breeds, especially shorter-haired breeds such as the Dobermann, are particularly susceptible, and a hereditary lack of immunity to fight the parasite may be the reason for the disease developing.
As with Sarcoptic mange, diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of skin scrapings. In mild cases, Demodectic mange often spontaneously heals within 6 to 8 weeks but may wax and wane within the affected area for several months. In more persistent cases treatment with a miticidal agent is usually recommended.
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