MANGE: Demodectic vs. Sarcoptic – Part II
 Sarcoptic
Last week we talked about Mange, specifically, Demodectic or “Red†Mange. You’ll remember we said that mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites of which there are two different kinds that affect dogs.
Life Cycle
While Demodex Canis lives deep in the hair follicles, Sarcoptes Scabei mites actually tunnel under the skin. After mating, the female burrows a few millimeters under the skin and deposits a trail of eggs behind her. These hatch in 3-10 days and produce a larva which moves about the surface of the skin until it molts into a “nymphal†stage and then finally an adult. The adults mate on the surface and the cycle begins again. The presence of the burrowing female causes an inflammatory response similar to an allergic reaction.
Signs
Naturally, this causes severe itching. The dog will chew and scratch his skin constantly, which leads to a loss of hair, particularly on the legs and belly. The skin, eventually, becomes thickened and darker.
Sarcoptic Mange is HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS to other dogs and to HUMANS. That’s right; the Sarcoptes Scabei mite is known in the human world as SCABIES. The mite is unable to complete the life cycle on a human host but it can cause ruthless and relentless itching while it lives.
Appearance
Mites prefer hairless skin so the ear flaps, elbows and abdomen of a dog are at highest risk for the red, scaly, itchy skin that characterizes Sarcoptic Mange. This pattern of itching is consistent with airborne allergies and food allergies, so it can be easy to misdiagnose.
As the disease progresses, most of the body will become involved. Typically though, it begins with the ears and elbows and abdomen.
When an animal scratches, it breaks open the tunnels and the mites are killed; (the itch persists because of toxins in the skin.) This makes it difficult to confirm even with skin scrapings. If it is possible that your dog has Sarcoptic mange, it is probably easiest and best to treat for it for 2-4 weeks before moving to some more expensive or intrusive testing and treatments.
Treatments
Though it is hard to diagnose with certainty, Sarcoptic mange is relatively easy to treat and there are many choices available. There are several treatments that can only be dispensed by a licensed veterinarian, but quite a number of over the counter remedies may work just as well. Shampoos, Dips, Sprays, and Ointments, where do you begin? Frontline® Spray aids in control of Sarcoptic Mange. Kennel Dip II by Happy Jack is effective as a mite killer and thus an efficient mange treatment. Happy Jack also makes Sardex II, an aerosol treatment for localized infestations, and a liquid topical called, simply enough, Sarcoptic Mange Medicine. A flea and tick shampoo may help or you may want to use an itch-soothing medicated shampoo or spray. Our pet specialists agree that Jeffers Itch Halt, which has an ingredient known as Allantoin, can help heal the skin as well as treating the symptomatic itching and keeping your pet from chewing and biting and causing more damage.
Although the mite, itself, can live for weeks without a host it is only infective for 36 hours. Therefore, it is probably not necessary to completely tent and fumigate the house. Still in order to bring the problem under control as quickly as possible and avoid undermining whatever treatment you are using, it may help to replace or wash all bedding, collars, halters, and clothes in HOT water and spray areas frequented by your dog with a flea and tick mist (such as Adams Plus or Bio Spot or the new Jeffers Flea and Tick Mist which includes aloe and a sunscreen).
Next week – Separation Anxiety
As always, information given here is meant to be helpful and/or educational. It is, in no way, intended to supersede, challenge or supplant the diagnosis, treatment or advice of a licensed veterinarian.
Become involved.
If you like JeffersPetBlog.com, please comment and tell us and tell your friends. If you have questions, comments or corrections about a subject we cover, use the comments section. If you would like to see a particular subject covered, leave a comment. To comment or reply, just click where it says “No Comments†below. (If comments have been made it will read with the number of comments instead of “No Commentsâ€, ex. “3 Commentsâ€.)
April 4th, 2008 at 6:10 am
Found your blog on yahoo – thanks for the article.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
[...] A nice web master added an interesting post today on Jeffers Pet Blog Blog Archive MANGE: Demodectic vs. Sarcoptic …Here’s a small readingOur pet specialists agree that Jeffers Itch Halt, which has an ingredient known as Allantoin, can help heal the skin as well as treating the symptomatic itching and keeping your pet from chewing and biting and causing more damage. … [...]
January 5th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Dog Bark Collars…
Some useful info here I enjoyed reading your comments….
June 11th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Advantage Flea for Dogs…
Your post on Jeffers Pet Blog ” Blog Archive ” MANGE: Demodectic vs … I found to be a valuable read when I was searching for flea life cycle info….
January 9th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Great work! keep the posts coming! Thanks
January 10th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
I am so glad I observed this weblog. Thank you for the info. You make a great deal of excellent points in your write-up. Rated 5 stars!
January 15th, 2011 at 9:15 am
Awesome
January 18th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
I have not been happy with SmartPak supplements lately. They just don’t have the effect that natural supplements have with my horses. I use http://www.emeraldvalleyequine.com. Can you guys let me know if you have used any other supplements with success. Thanks!
January 19th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
I can appreciate that you took considerable time on this. Nice job.
January 21st, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Thanks, I have learned a little something here anyways
January 29th, 2011 at 8:15 am
Hi, i found this place on google and i like it so far
February 6th, 2011 at 1:42 am
I saw this blog through Facebook (a friend of mine posted it). After reading, I of course clicked “Like” and shared it myseld.
February 10th, 2011 at 9:49 am
My daughter recommended your blog. I’ve bookmarked your blog.
February 12th, 2011 at 2:32 am
Great post, thanks a lot!
February 12th, 2011 at 10:51 am
I just placed this article on my facebook account. it is an interesting article for everyone.
February 13th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
A lot of comments in so little time, I have to second, no doubt it is a great blog post. the site is awesome
February 15th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Thanks for the article
February 17th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Great!!!!!! Thanks for sharing..
February 23rd, 2011 at 6:55 am
Great, thanks for sharing this article. Really Cool.
February 24th, 2011 at 10:57 am
Really appreciate you sharing this blog.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
March 1st, 2011 at 8:58 am
Outstanding This really is one of the most beneficial blogs I’ve ever read on this subject.
March 2nd, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Excellent blog post, I look forward to reading more.
March 3rd, 2011 at 7:03 pm
I discovered your blog last week and started follow your posts religiously. I have not commented on any blog just yet but I was thinking I would love to. It’s really exciting to actually contribute to a article even if it’s only a blog. I really don’t know exactly what to write other than I really enjoyed reading through 2 of the articles. Nice articles indeed. I sure will keep visiting your blog weekly. I learned quite a bit from you. Thx!
March 4th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
thanks, and keep up the great work
April 13th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Another a great article . Appreciate it
April 14th, 2011 at 10:35 am
*I’d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
November 18th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
springer spaniel…
[...]Jeffers Pet Blog » Blog Archive » MANGE: Demodectic vs. Sarcoptic – Part II[...]…