The Dog Spot
Sarcoptic Mange Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Sarcoptic Mange. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Sarcoptic Mange
from: Kyle BesserWhile you are grooming your dog, you notice that his coat seems to be shedding abnormally. You also notice that your dog is scratching and licking himself frantically. You check his coat to see if you can find any signs of fleas, ticks, or lice, but find instead what look like big pimples and scaly skin. Every day that goes by the symptoms seem to be getting worse. Your dog may be suffering from sarcoptic mange, which is more commonly known as canine scabies.
Mange occurs when mites burrow under the skin. Sarcoptic mange is a parasitic condition that is caused by a specific type of mite called sarcoptes scabei. Sarcoptes scabei are are rapidly burrowing mites that look very similar to tiny spiders.
Sarcoptes scabei is highly contagious and can easily spread from dog to dog, from dog to cat, and from dog to human. Sarcoptes scabei mite eggs are laid just a few millimeters under the skin and generally take between three to ten days to hatch.
Symptoms of sarcoptic mange, or canine scabies, include intense and excessive scratching, licking, biting, loss of hair, and reddened and encrusted skin. Areas that are most often affected are the edges of the ears, the face, the lower chest, the elbows, and the legs.
If you think your dog is suffering from sarcoptic mange, you need to consult your vet. Your vet will do a series of skin tests to determine if your dog is infested with mites. He will then give you instructions on how to use certain topical medications that will kill the sarcoptic mites. Your vet may also give you an anti-inflammatory drug to relieve the symptoms of swelling and itching in the affected areas. It may be necessary for your vet to prescribe an antibiotic if the scratching turns into an infection.
To lessen the spread of mite infestation, you may need to thoroughly clean your entire house and pay special attention to the areas where your dog usually spends his time. You will need to thoroughly clean or dispose of all bedding your dog has slept on.
Sarcoptic mange is very contagious. If you think you might have become affected by your dog's mite problem, ask your doctor for advice on treatment and medication for yourself.
Related Articles for Sarcoptic Mange
Dog-Parasites Online News
No relevant info was found on this topic.