Sarcoptic mange is a skin disease in dogs that is caused by the Scarcoptes scabei mite. It is also referred to as Canine Scabies. Mites are tiny organisms that resemble spiders, they are so small they cannot be seen by the naked eye. The mites invade the skin of healthy dogs and puppies, creating skin problems, most commonly, hair loss and severe itching. These mange mites infect not only dogs, but can also be spread to humans through contact.

Sarcoptic mange affects all dogs, regardless of their age or breed. While the mites prefer to live on our canine companions, they can also live on humans, cats and foxes. The adult mites can live for 3-4 weeks on the host’s skin. After mating, the female mite burrows into the skin and deposits 3-4 eggs. These eggs hatch after 3-10 days, producing larvae. The larvae then move about the skin and mature into adults, which return to the skin surface and mate, and thus the cycle continues.

Because the mites are deep within the skin, their movement causes the skin to be very itchy. This also creates an allergic response, which makes the itchiness even worse. The mites prefer areas on your dog where there is no hair, so typically the areas affected first include the ears, elbows and abdomen. If left untreated, they spread to other areas, causing hair loss. Your dog will scratch incessantly to try and relieve the itching, however, this can lead to more complications. The areas where the mites have burrowed under the skin can become red and develop pustules (pustules look like pimples), which develop a yellow-colored crust. These areas can very easily become infected if your dog continues to scratch.

Scarcoptic mange can be very difficult to diagnose as the typical test of using skin scrapings is unreliable. This is because as the dog scratches, the tunnels the mites have dug under the skin are broken open and the mites die. Which leads many test results that come back falsely negative. Some veterinarians will perform a “maybe mange” test, in which they treat the dog for mange and wait to see if its condition improves.

Although difficult to diagnose, Scarcoptic mange is easily treatable. There are a few different treatments for Scarcoptic mange that are highly effective, these include dips, wormers and spot-on treatments. Many veterinarians recommend dips such as Mitaban and Lym Dyp, which given weekly can resolve the mange problem in about a month. These dips are often used in combination with Ivermectin. Ivermectin is one of the most effective treatments against Scarcoptic mange. Typically an Ivermectin injection is given either weekly or every two weeks in 1-4 doses. However, this treatment is not to be used on Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and Australian Shepherds as they can be affected by a mutation that makes the Ivermectin toxic. Finally, a spot-on treatment, or Revolution, can be prescribed. Revolution is an Ivermectin derivative that is used for the control of fleas, roundworms, hookworms, ticks, ear mites and Sarcoptic mange mites. This spot on is used as a monthly treatment to prevent infestations.

Sarcoptic mange is typically spread through contact with an infected animal. While they live happily on their host, they are only able to live about 36 hours without one, so environmental treatments generally are not necessary. It is a good idea, however, to wash your pets bedding, collars, harnesses or toys in hot water to avoid any further infestations or the risk of your other pets being infected.