What is Mange?

Mange is a skin disease found in many mammals and is caused by a mite that burrows beneath the skin. Most people are familiar with mange because of its presence in their pets, often cats and dogs. There are a variety of mange mites, but only a handful of them affect pets.

Mange mites themselves cannot be seen with the naked eye, but the effects of their burrowing can be very dramatic. Some types of mange look like dandruff, but the effects are often short-lived. Different types of mange include:

SARCOPTIC MANGE:
Sarcoptic mange is a type of skin infection which is most commonly seen in dogs, although it can appear temporarily in humans, cats, and other animals. Like other conditions known as “mange,” sarcoptic mange is characterized by the development of crusty skin, small lesions, hair loss, and intense itching on the body. Pet owners need to have the dog examined at a veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis of sarcoptic mange and to obtain the most effective treatment, as several related skin conditions look similar, and require different treatment.

This condition is caused by an infection with the Sarcoptes scabiei canis mite, a close relative of the mite which causes scabies in humans. Sarcoptic mange is sometimes referred to as “canine scabies” or “scabies,” which can cause some confusion, as the mites which infect dogs and humans are actually slightly different. The mites burrow into the skin for the purpose of laying eggs, causing inflammation, itching, and the development of numerous small red pustules.

The initial infection can be painful and debilitating, and it can be worsened as the dog scratches or bites at the affected areas, causing a secondary infection to set in. The dog may injure itself with desperate scratching, causing large lesions and cuts to appear. If the infection is allowed to persist, it will slowly spread, moving from the abdomen and legs up to the head and the margins of the ears and causing considerable discomfort.

A veterinarian can sometimes diagnose sarcoptic mange which a skin scraping. The scraping can also be used to rule out other causes of infection, such as demodectic mange. If the skin scraping reveals the presence of scabies mites or rules out other causes, the veterinarian can prescribe treatments such as dips, topical lotions, shampoos, pills, or injections.

It is important to be aware that some treatments are dangerous for certain dog breeds, and that treatments designed for use on other animals may not work on dogs. Likewise, a mange treatment for dogs will not be effective on other animals, and it could even be dangerous. For example, permethrin creams which are commonly used to manage insect infestations on dogs are deadly for cats. Folk remedies such as topical applications of motor oil and other substances are also very dangerous.

If one dog in a household has sarcoptic mange, chances are high that other dogs will have it also, and they should be treated at the same time. If an infected dog has playmates or friends, their owners should be informed so that they can treat their dogs as well. Dogs with sarcoptic mange should be isolated from other animals and people in the household, and their bedding should be washed thoroughly in extremely hot water to remove mites and eggs.



DEMODECTIC MANGE:
Demodectic mange is a common variety of mange most often seen in young dogs. It is also known as red mange, puppy mange, and follicular mange, and is caused by demodex canis mites. These skin mites live predominantly in hair follicles, and are mostly harmless.

Skin mites of different varieties live on most mammals, including humans, without causing any type of irritation. They are less that 1/100 of an inch long, (about .25 mm.) and are impossible to see without the use of a microscope. Demodex canis mites resemble tiny alligators, and live about 25-30 days. During that time, they mature, mate, and lay the eggs that will lead to the next generation of mites living on the host organism. They can only be transmitted through direct contact from one dog to another, as they cannot survive on other species or off of the host body.

In most dogs, demodex canis mites do not cause any problems, and the dog, and the dog's owners, do not even realize the mites are there, because the mites are not a problem for healthy, mature dogs. The dogs that have a problem with the mites are ones who have low levels of immunity, which is mostly seen in puppies, older dogs, and dogs who have diseases, such as Cushings or heartworms, or even cancer. Puppies most commonly get demodectic mange after getting infected with mites from their mother.

In the majority of cases, dogs with demodectic mange only get a few isolated lesions on their bodies. These lesions are small, and are generally found around the face and lower back. In a small number of cases, there are several larger lesions, possibly covering the entire body of the puppy if it is severe enough. The most common signs of demodectic mange are hair loss, a greasy or damp look, and red, crusty skin. Not all cases cause itchiness, which is usually associated with mange.

Many cases of demodectic mange in puppies will heal themselves by the time the puppy is three to six months of age, at which point the immune system has matured to the point where it can handle the demodex mites. There are, however, some cases that will require treatment. The most common way to treat this type of mange is through topical creams, dips, and shampoos that get rid of mites. There two most common types of these washes contain either benzoyl peroxide or rotenone. Treatment courses usually run two weeks, and are discontinued one a skin scraping reveals that there are no longer any mites in the skin. In a short period of time, the skin will heal, the hair will regrow, and the dog will be considered cured of mange.

Demodectic mange can also affect cats, although it is two different species of mite, demodex cati and demodex gatoi, that causes this infection in cats. The symptoms are mostly the same as the canine version of this condition, with the main difference being that the lesions are also commonly seen on the legs and body, instead of most around the head. Cats who have demodectic mange, which is also called demodicosis in felines, are tested for diabetes, leukemia, and other conditions that could compromise a cat's immune system. The treatment for cats is the same as it is for dogs; vets will prescribe a topical cream, shampoo, or dip to get rid of the mites that are causing the condition. This will be continued until the cat no longer has mites.

NOTOEDRIC MANGE:
Notoedric mange is a type of mange which is most commonly seen in cats, although it can spread to dogs, rabbits, foxes, humans, and other animals. It is characterized by the development of patches of scaly, scabby skin and intense itching which can lead the animal to scratch itself severely in an attempt to deal with the itching. It is important to go to a veterinarian to get treatment for notoedric mange, as it is critical to diagnose it properly and to receive the correct medication.

This condition is caused by infection with Notoedres cati, a type of skin-burrowing mite which digs into the cat's skin to lay eggs. The subsequent hatching of the eggs and the spreading of the mite causes itching, hair loss, and the development of crusty scabs, scales, and patches of dry skin. Typically, the infection starts on the ears, and spreads slowly across the face, abdomen, and other parts of the body.

A veterinarian can confirm that a cat has notoedric mange with a skin scraping which is examined under a microscope. Once confirmed, the condition can be treated with a medicated dip or lotion, an injection, or a pill. The cat may need to wear an Elizabethan collar for several days to prevent scratching.

Cat owners should be aware that many of the insecticides used to treat mange in dogs are not safe for cats, which is why it is critical to go to a veterinarian for treatment, to confirm that the medication will be safe for the cat. Over the counter mange treatments are often not effective, because they are either not formulated for notoedric mange, or they are intended for use on other animals.

This condition is sometimes referred to as feline scabies, although the scabies mite is not involved, because the symptoms resemble those caused by scabies infections. Several other mites can also cause similar infections in cats. Left untreated, notoedric mange can lead to severe skin infections caused by constant scratching, and these infections can lead to septicemia, which is a life-threatening condition.

Some regions of the world are known hotspots for notoedric mange, and veterinarians may see numerous cases every week. In other areas, the condition is relatively rare. Cat owners can reduce the risk by keeping their cats indoors, so that they will not come into contact with infected strays, pets, and wild animals. Keeping cats indoors can also extend their life spans, in addition to preventing infection with a number of other conditions, such as the feline leukemia virus.