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Pet Article
MANGE, CATS AND DOGS
Mange is caused by mites which belong to the same family as spiders and live on your skin.
Mange has a reputation for being a contagious skin disease which is very difficult to treat.
Mange creates images among pet owners of massive hair loss and constant itching but not many
pet owners know what causes mange.
Demodex is probably the most common species of mite which causes Mange, but it is also found
naturally on the skin of dogs, albeit in small numbers. When these mites become too numberous
is when they can cause problems such as hir loss, scabby skin and itchiness. In puppys mange
is usually a problem which is related to an inherited immune defect that prevents the puppy
for fighting off the infection. In older dogs, increased numbers usually indicate some
underlying problem that has weakened the dogs immune system which in turn allow the mites to
multiply out of control.
The mites may also multiply excessively if the dog has been receiving some kind of
medication that may suppress the immune system, such as topical medications which contain
steroids.
Treatment for Demodex used to be very expensive with limited results, which may be one
of the reasons that mange has gotten such a bad reputation. These days, the treatment
for this problem is easier and much more effective, making it possible to get these
mites under control relatively quickly. One important fact that pet owners should know about
this particular kind of mite, is that it is not contagious to people or other animals, in
fact demodex cannot be spread from dog to dog.
Other mites which are also commonly found affecting dogs are Sarcoptes (also known as
scabies) and Cheyletiella. These mites are very similar, and both are contagious to
other animals and to humans. These mites seem to be concentrated in different regions
of the country. Whilst some regions have large numbers of Cheyletiella, Sarcoptes seems to
be most prevalent in other areas.
Both of these mites are usually transmitted by contact with other animals, especially
some wildlife such as foxes. These wild animals can also contaminate the environment when
they come into our back yards. The best way to avoid getting these mites is to keep
dogs away from wild animals and other unfamiliar dogs.
Unlike Demodex, Cheyletiella and Sarcoptes are not normally found on the skin and
their presence is not related to the dog's ability to fight off infections. It's possible that
you may see larger numbers of these mites if the dog has a problem with its immune system,
but immunosuppression does not make it more likely that the dog will get these mites. These
mites cause hair loss, yellow crusts on the skin, and itchiness. These mites are more
unpleasant than Demodex, they can still be easily removed. Demodex can take months of
treatment to resolve, but Sarcoptes and Cheyletiella can usually be completely removed in
around 6 weeks.
It is also worth remembering that sarcoptes mites are contagious to people, and therefore
pet owners who have dogs with these mites may need to be treated too. On people, they often
accumulate in places where clothes fit tightly, such as at waistbands. People do not usually
require treatment for Cheyletiella mites, but they can bite and cause transient itching
before they die and fall away. Human infection by either Sarcoptes or Cheyletiella is not
usually a serious health problem but can cause discomfort.
If you know that your pet has an infestation of Sarcoptes or Cheyletiella and think
that you also may have contracted the mites, it is advisable to seek attention from a
physician. Should you have any further questions about mange or other skin diseases,
contact your local veterinarian.
Mark Woodcock
1 Flea Control
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