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.
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