External Parasites - Mange
Mange is a contagious disease caused by parasitic mites. The two most common types in dogs are Demodectic Mange and Sarcoptic Mange. Demodex mange mites live in the hair follicles and glands of the skin, while Sarcoptic mange mites tend to burrow into the skin. The resulting irritation of the hair follicle and severe itching causes hair loss. Clinical signs may vary from dog to dog, since symptoms are related to the dog's ability to resist the mites. Some dogs are genetically resistant and will never show signs of mange. However, the hair loss, itching, and pain can be miserable for dogs with no resistance.
What is Demodectic Mange:Clinical signs of Demodex depend on how much genetic and immune resistance they have to mange. The primary symptom is patchy hair loss, usually occurring around the eyes or on parts of the face. Other symptoms include crusty, red skin and sometimes a greasy or moist appearance. Breeders have done a good job of breeding resistance into their dogs, but it can still occur in puppies with inadequate immune systems. Normal adult dogs with thyroid or cancer problems often break with Demodex. If your dog is showing signs of irritation, you need to treat them and give them some relief.
Demodex Treatment in Dogs:Treatment of Demodectic Mange involves topical ointments, dips or medicated shampoos. Goodwinol Ointment has been very successful for localized lesions, and antibiotics are used for secondary bacterial infections. Continued bathing with VET BASICS® Sebo 322 Shampoo or a benzoyl peroxide shampoo helps to regain their skin health. Some dogs never clear permanently and will need retreatment, and using Revolution® monthly after the initial treatment has been successful at controlling chronic dogs. It is also helpful to give your dog a fatty acid supplement, such as Doc Roy's® Derma Coat Care and make sure they are on a high quality pet food. Both help your pet fight mange by enhancing their natural defenses.
Demodex Treatment in Cats:Feline Demodex is mostly confined to kittens and to the ear area. Clinical signs include serum-like ear discharge & face itching. Insecticide shampoos or dips labeled for cats are needed to permanently eliminate the ear mites, and this treatment is effective for controlling feline demodex if you include the area around the ear. Often kittens acquire Ringworm, a fungal infection, in areas traumatized by scratching. Antifungal shampoos such as VET BASICS®ChlorConazole™ or Miconazole Sprays are helpful in preventing this issue.
Sarcoptic Mange:Sarcoptic Mange, commonly known as scabies, causes intense itching and it is contagious. Contact with an infected dog or equipment used on an infected dog will give your dog scabies. Sarcoptic attacks the skin of the ears, elbow and hocks early, but with time it occupies all of your dog’s body. The onset is sudden, with symptoms of scratching, hair loss, inflamed skin and crusty ear tips.
Sarcoptic is easy to acquire, but it's also easy to kill. Treatment includes clipping the hair and removing the crusty lesions with Doc Roy's® Medicated Shampoo. One effective treatment involves bathing the animal in a VET BASICS®Sebo 322 Shampoo or a benzoyl peroxide shampoo, then following with Lime Sulfer Dip to penetrate the hair pores and kill the mites. Sarcoptic is very contagious and all dogs in the family should also be treated to eliminate the problem, even if they do not show signs. Bedding and grooming items will transfer the mites, so be sure to wash everything when treatment begins. Since direct contact is not necessary to contract Sarcoptic mange, it’s also important to treat the indoor environment with a residual insecticide to prevent further spread and re-infection.
Cheyletiella Mange or Walking Dandruff:Treatment is the same as for Sarcoptic. Remember adult mites are easy to kill but the eggs live in tunnels or in the hair follicle and are not affected by most treatment. The eggs hatch in 7-10 days so retreating in 2 weeks will usually get the eggs that hatch before they reproduce. If we don’t retreat we will see the issue return in 60 days! If there is any doubt treat a third time. The goal is to rid the pets of mange permanently.
Treatment of Cattery or Kennel:Kennels and catteries often use Ivomec either topical or the injectable Ivomec oral to rid their breeding stock of lice and mange including ear mites. The Ivomec is off label so get Veterinary guidance to use. Never give Ivermectin to collies or shelties or breeds that may contain collie or sheltie. Treatment is repeated two weeks apart and is quite effective. Collies and shelties are given Revolution® or Lime Sulfer Dip. If mom is mange free and free of ear mites the babies will be free as well.
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The materials, information and answers provided through this website are not intended to replace the medical advice or services of a qualified veterinarian or other pet health care professional. Consult your own veterinarian for answers to specific medical questions, including diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medical attention.
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What is Demodectic Mange:Clinical signs of Demodex depend on how much genetic and immune resistance they have to mange. The primary symptom is patchy hair loss, usually occurring around the eyes or on parts of the face. Other symptoms include crusty, red skin and sometimes a greasy or moist appearance. Breeders have done a good job of breeding resistance into their dogs, but it can still occur in puppies with inadequate immune systems. Normal adult dogs with thyroid or cancer problems often break with Demodex. If your dog is showing signs of irritation, you need to treat them and give them some relief.
Demodex Treatment in Dogs:Treatment of Demodectic Mange involves topical ointments, dips or medicated shampoos. Goodwinol Ointment has been very successful for localized lesions, and antibiotics are used for secondary bacterial infections. Continued bathing with VET BASICS® Sebo 322 Shampoo or a benzoyl peroxide shampoo helps to regain their skin health. Some dogs never clear permanently and will need retreatment, and using Revolution® monthly after the initial treatment has been successful at controlling chronic dogs. It is also helpful to give your dog a fatty acid supplement, such as Doc Roy's® Derma Coat Care and make sure they are on a high quality pet food. Both help your pet fight mange by enhancing their natural defenses.
Demodex Treatment in Cats:Feline Demodex is mostly confined to kittens and to the ear area. Clinical signs include serum-like ear discharge & face itching. Insecticide shampoos or dips labeled for cats are needed to permanently eliminate the ear mites, and this treatment is effective for controlling feline demodex if you include the area around the ear. Often kittens acquire Ringworm, a fungal infection, in areas traumatized by scratching. Antifungal shampoos such as VET BASICS®ChlorConazole™ or Miconazole Sprays are helpful in preventing this issue.
Sarcoptic Mange:Sarcoptic Mange, commonly known as scabies, causes intense itching and it is contagious. Contact with an infected dog or equipment used on an infected dog will give your dog scabies. Sarcoptic attacks the skin of the ears, elbow and hocks early, but with time it occupies all of your dog’s body. The onset is sudden, with symptoms of scratching, hair loss, inflamed skin and crusty ear tips.
Sarcoptic is easy to acquire, but it's also easy to kill. Treatment includes clipping the hair and removing the crusty lesions with Doc Roy's® Medicated Shampoo. One effective treatment involves bathing the animal in a VET BASICS®Sebo 322 Shampoo or a benzoyl peroxide shampoo, then following with Lime Sulfer Dip to penetrate the hair pores and kill the mites. Sarcoptic is very contagious and all dogs in the family should also be treated to eliminate the problem, even if they do not show signs. Bedding and grooming items will transfer the mites, so be sure to wash everything when treatment begins. Since direct contact is not necessary to contract Sarcoptic mange, it’s also important to treat the indoor environment with a residual insecticide to prevent further spread and re-infection.
Cheyletiella Mange or Walking Dandruff:Treatment is the same as for Sarcoptic. Remember adult mites are easy to kill but the eggs live in tunnels or in the hair follicle and are not affected by most treatment. The eggs hatch in 7-10 days so retreating in 2 weeks will usually get the eggs that hatch before they reproduce. If we don’t retreat we will see the issue return in 60 days! If there is any doubt treat a third time. The goal is to rid the pets of mange permanently.
Treatment of Cattery or Kennel:Kennels and catteries often use Ivomec either topical or the injectable Ivomec oral to rid their breeding stock of lice and mange including ear mites. The Ivomec is off label so get Veterinary guidance to use. Never give Ivermectin to collies or shelties or breeds that may contain collie or sheltie. Treatment is repeated two weeks apart and is quite effective. Collies and shelties are given Revolution® or Lime Sulfer Dip. If mom is mange free and free of ear mites the babies will be free as well.
Printer Friendly Version (PDF)
The materials, information and answers provided through this website are not intended to replace the medical advice or services of a qualified veterinarian or other pet health care professional. Consult your own veterinarian for answers to specific medical questions, including diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medical attention.
Return to Articles