An itching, scratching dog presents a unique problem for pet owners; we wonder if the problem is fleas, dry skin or something worse. Many times, the veterinary findings, and subsequent home treatments, provide us with a quick and easy answer to the problem. Occasionally, the veterinarian diagnoses a canine skin disease called "mange," and that conclusion can lead to a series of lengthy, often expensive clinical procedures, depending on the type of mange found.
Sarcoptes
Sarcoptes scabiei mites cause the skin disease in dogs called sarcoptic mange or scabies. The mites live in the upper layers of the dog's skin where they eat decaying skin cells, and the females burrow tunnels to lay eggs. This burrowing, and a sensitivity to mite by-products, instigates intense pruritis (itching) in the dog, which can lead to self-trauma, dermatitis, skin sores and hair loss. Dogs with scabies present with crusty lesions on their abdomen, chest, ears, heads, elbows and legs. If left untreated, the skin becomes thickened and encrusted. Often, bacterial and yeast infections occur on infected animals. Veterinary treatment typically consists of a series of lime-sulfur dips, plus systemic medications of antibiotics and antiparasitics.
Demodex
Demodex canis mites reside in the hair and sebaceous (fat) skin glands of healthy dogs as part of their normal flora, usually without causing disease. Disease typically will not occur unless the dog is immunosuppressed or there is another systemic disease present. The localized form of demodex develops in dogs less than two years old, is not typically pruritic, and usually resolves itself without veterinary treatment. Generalized demodex presents as the more serious form of mange, with skin lesions, bacterial infections and alopecia (hair loss) common. These patients often suffer with lethargy, fevers and severe cellulitis, characterized by edema, redness and pain. Treatment for generalized demodex includes whole body amitraz (an antiparasitic drug) dips every two weeks, plus antibiotics for the skin infections.
Ododectic
A mite called Otodectes cynotis causes ododectic mange in dogs. Usually found in the outer and inner canals of the dog's ears, these mites live on the animal's dead hair and decaying skin cells. They will often be found in the hair on the dog's head and neck. Clinical signs may include scratching and shaking of the ears and head, inflammation and a noticeable "coffee-ground" discharge in the animal's outer ear. These dogs will need to be treated with a parasiticide (anti-mite) eardrop over a period of several weeks.
Cheyletiellosis
Called "Walking Dandruff," the cheyletiellosis mite infests dogs in large communities, typically kennels and shelters. They live on the surface of the skin, usually on the back and rump of the dog, and cause skin scaling that looks like large flakes of dandruff. The itching that is common in other types of mange varies from dog to dog with cheyletiellosis. Treatment typically includes lime-sulfur or pyrethin dips weekly over a period of 6 to 8 weeks plus an antiparasitic medication.
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