Mange in Dogs: An Overview

Dog Breeds

Mange is a condition in dogs caused by an infestation of mites which latch onto the dog’s skin and feed off of the dog’s blood. There are three main types of mange mites which can infect dogs: Sarcoptic Mange (Canine Scabies), Cheyletiellosis (Walking Dandruff), and Canine Demodicosis (Demodex).

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Definition of Mange

Mange is a skin disease of domestic dogs caused by one of several different species of parasitic mites. The mites that most commonly affect dogs are: Sarcoptes scabiei, which causes sarcoptic mange (“canine scabies”); Cheyletiella yasguri, which causes cheyletiellosis (“walking dandruff”); and Demodex canis, which causes demodicosis (“demodex”).

How Mange Affects Dogs

Sarcoptes mites cause a non-seasonal, highly contagious and intensely itchy skin condition in dogs of all breeds, with no age or gender predisposition. People can be infected as well. These mites burrow through several skin layers and release a highly irritating substance that causes severe itchiness, scratching, hair loss and self-trauma, especially on the outside of the ears, elbows, back of the hind legs, on the chest and across the groin and abdomen. As the mites multiply, the condition worsens and can contribute to depression, aggression, lack of interest in play, inappetence, weight loss, significant hair loss and other physical and behavioral changes.

Cheyletiellosis, which also is highly contagious, causes marked skin scaling, which normally is most apparent on the dog’s back but can appear anywhere. It may or may not be accompanied by itchiness, but unlike the Sarcoptes mites, these mites do not cause deep and excessive underlying skin irritation. These large mites can easily be seen with a simple hand-held magnifying glass. People are subject to infection as well.

Demodicosis typically does not cause itching. Its most obvious clinical sign is patchy hair loss, which can be localized or generalized. The patches tend to occur on the face, especially around the eyes and mouth, in localized cases. Affected areas of skin often become oily, moderately scaly, crusty and thickened. Secondary bacterial skin infections are quite common as the mites multiply in hair follicles.

Causes of Canine Mange

Sarcoptic mange is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, and Cheyletiellosis is caused by the Cheyletiella yasguri mite. Both of these conditions are highly contagious; common sources of infestation are boarding kennels, animal shelters, dog parks, grooming facilities and other high-density dog-friendly areas. Demodectic mange is caused by the Demodex canis mite, which is a normal inhabitant of hair follicles and sebaceous glands in dogs. Clinical disease develops when the mite population proliferates beyond what the animal’s immune system can handle. A genetic component has been suggested.

Preventing Mange in Dogs

The best way to prevent mange is to avoid direct contact with affected animals. Because demodex is thought to have a heritable component, dogs with the generalized form of this condition should not be bred.

Special Notes

Sarcoptic mange, and to a lesser degree Cheletiellosis, are zoonotic, meaning that people can become infected. Dogs with mange should be treated with the appropriate medicated shampoos and topical dips. In the case of sarcoptic mange and cheyletiellosis, all animals in the home should be treated and the home should be professionally treated for mite infestation. The prognosis for dogs with mange is generally good as long as treatment protocols are rigorously followed.

Symptoms and Types