Mange Mange (from Middle English manjeue, from Old French manjue, from mangier, meaning to eat) is a parasitic infestation of the skin of animals. Common symptoms include hair loss, itching and inflammation, all of which are caused by microscopic mites. Mange is most commonly found in dogs and other canines, but it can occur in other domestic and wild animals. The term "mange" is used for a variety of skin conditions but in actuality, there are three types of mange:
A Simple Way of Determining If a Dog Has Mange If it displays what is called a "Pedal-Pinna reflex". This is when the dog moves one of its hind legs in a scratching motion as the ear is being scratched gently by the one examining the dog. Because the mites proliferate on the ear margins in nearly all cases at some point, this method works over 95% of the time. It is helpful in cases where all symptoms of mange are present but no mites are observed with a microscope. In some countries, a serologic test is available that may be useful in diagnosis. Good raw food based nutrition (with added zinc, 10 to 30mg depending on size)is essential to help your dog heal himself. Sarcoptic mange: Caused by the sarcoptes scabiei mite burrowing into the skin. Also known as 'red fox mange' or 'wombat mange,' sarcoptic mange is much easier to cure than Demodectic mange because the sarcoptic mite doesn't burrow as deep into the skin of your pet. Sarcoptic mange is often based on symptoms rather than actual confirmation of the presence of mites. Dogs with scabies will tend to have a moth-eaten appearance as clumps of hair begin to fall out.
However, as the condition progresses, the dog will continue to lose hair until it is gone. It can affect canines of all ages and breeds and is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be easily transmitted to people who come into contact with an infected animal. On a dog, it presents as extreme itchiness, skin rash with reddened, irritated and inflamed skin, scabs and hair loss. Areas affected on the dog will be the ears, elbows, hocks, abdomen and chest. Skin infections are likely to occur as the dog chews on his body to relieve the intense itching. The moisture combined with bacteria in the environment and the dog's saliva sets him up for bacterial skin infections, commonly known as hot spots.
Yeast can also cause skin infections in dogs with scabies and is fungal in nature and not bacterial. Dogs with skin infections will have a sour or foul smell and will appear to have wet, thickened skin around the infected area. Dogs with chronic sarcoptic mange are often in poor condition. Treatment options for Sarcoptic mange: Medicated baths which kill the mite while soothing the skin. During a scabies infection, the dog's immune system will become suppressed, so corticosteroids (Prednisone, Hydrocortisone, Dexamethasone, etc.) for itching relief are not advisable. Rather, immune boosting nutritional supplements become necessary. Echinacea used daily for not more than ten days (dosage depends on weight of dog), is advantageous as well as a multi vitamin made for dogs. For a person who contracts scabies from an infected animal, intense itching will occur on the inside of the arms, waist and/or chest area and the inside of the wrist. A remedy used to rid oneself of the mite can be made using common household products. http://lacetoleather.com/ridlice.html Although the remedy is used for lice on people, it will not work well on a dog since it would need to stay on for more than an hour to be successful and any dog would lick off the "cure" in no time. Demodectic mange: Due to its ability to spread quickly and its susceptibility to secondary bacterial infections, demodex mange is the most serious type of animal mange. Minor cases of demodectic mange usually do not cause much itching but might cause pustules on the dog's skin, redness, scaling, hair loss, or any combination of these. It most commonly appears first on the face, around the eyes, or at the corners of the mouth, and on the forelimbs and paws. Approximately 10% of localized demodicosis cases will progress to generalized demodicosis. Enlarged lymph nodes are a bad sign -- often foretelling generalized mange. In certain situations, such as an under-developed or impaired immune system, intense stress, or malnutrition, the mites can reproduce rapidly, causing symptoms in sensitive dogs that range from mild irritation and hair loss on a small patch of skin to severe and widespread inflammation, secondary infection, and — in rare cases — a life-threatening condition. Some breeds appear to have an increased risk of mild cases as young dogs, including the Afghan Hound, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Chihuahua, Shar Pei, Collie, Dalmatian, Doberman Pinscher, Bulldog, German Shepherd Dog, Great Dane, Old English Sheepdog, American Pit Bull Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Rat Terrier, and Pug. Treatment options for Demodectic mange: Minor, localized cases are often treated with medicated shampoos and not treated with agents aimed at killing mites as these infestations often resolve within several weeks in young dogs. Demodectic mange with secondary infection is treated with antibiotics and medicated shampoos as well as parasiticidal agents. Amitraz is a parasiticidal rinse that is licensed for use in many countries for treating canine demodicosis. It is applied weekly or biweekly, for several weeks, until no mites can be detected by skin scrapings. Cheyletiella mange: "In our practice we actually see more cases of Cheyletiella mites "walking dandruff" than fleas! I am not sure of the reason, except that with the advent of newer, safer, more effective methods of flea control, the majority of these products do not eradicate Cheyletiella as did older pyrethrin-based products. Because this mite seems to have gained a foothold, be sure to check for it in all pruritic patients." - Alice Jeromin, DVM, Dipl. ACVD These mites do not burrow into the skin but live in the keratin level. Their entire 21-day life cycle is on one host. They cannot survive off the host for more than 10 days. Cheyletiellosis is highly contagious mange disease and it is transferred by direct contact with an affected animal. You might become aware of these mites when your dog begins rubbing his face and sneezing quite regularly. He may also present with hair loss around the eyes and nose, giving that balding appearance. Some dogs might not show any signs while other signs are itching intensely with scales and extensive hair loss. It may also affect the areas of the neck, head and the dog’s back. This is a highly contagious mite often found in kennels. They stay mainly on the back of a dog and seldom burrow. Their life cycle is 21 days with adult females able to live off the host for up to 10 days. Treatment options for Cheyletiella mange: Weekly bathing in pyrethrin shampoo, lime sulfur dips every five to seven days for three weeks, fipronil spray one spritz/lb body weight repeated again in three weeks, selamectin topically one dose every 15 days for a total of three doses. If using Ivermectin pay strict attention: Ivermectin 200 micrograms/kg every week for three weeks (must be heartworm negative, not an older dog or a herding breed, even mixed), milbemycin 2 mg/kg once weekly for three weeks (one study treated for up to nine weeks). The environment must be treated with a house and carpet spray such as those that are used for fleas. Remember to treat any pet exposed to the affected animal and not just the affected animal. |
