Different Types Of Mange In Dogs, Their Symptoms and Treatments

There are three types of mange that commonly occurs in dogs: Sarcoptic, Demodectic, and Cheyletiella. While there are certain symptoms that each type share, treatment for each type is different, as well as whether it is contagious or not.

Sarcoptic mange symptoms include very intense itching and hair loss. The constant scratching by the dog can cause secondary bacterial skin infections and eventually damage to the skin if left untreated long enough. This type of mange is very contagious to other dogs, so the contaminated dog should be quarantined as much as possible. Re-infestation can occur if all the bedding and area they have been in is not completely cleaned.

Treatment for Sarcoptic mange is typically some sort of parasitical poison, many of which can only be prescribed by a veterinarian. Ivermectin is a popular, oral method, however, some breeds are extremely sensitive to it. Selamectin is another effective treatment which involves putting drops on the skin. Both of these methods kill the mites that are responsible for the mange.

Demodectic mange, also known as Demodex Mange and Red Mange, is caused by a mite that naturally exists in the hair of most dogs. A healthy dog's immune system can keep the population under control. However, if a dog is highly stressed, or a young puppy, the immune system may not be strong enough to control these mites and a breakout can occur. Symptoms of Demodectic mange include hair loss, redness, and scaling of the skin. Itching is usually not an indication of Demodectic mange. It typically starts off very localized, around the mouth and face, but can become generalized over the whole body over time. The best treatment for Demodectic mange is to improve the health of your dog, boost their immune system, and help keep them stress-free.

As stated above, a healthy dog's immune system can typically keep this type of mite under control. If improving the health of your dog does not give enough improvement, Ivermectin is also effective for demodectic mange in dogs.

The last type of mange in dogs is Cheyletiella mange, also known as Walking Dandruff. Unlike the other types of mange, the Cheyletiella mites are actually large enough to be seen when moving - hence the walking dandruff referral.

Symptoms of Cheyletiella mange include very intensive itching, which typically leads to damaging the skin. Cheyletiella mange is very contagious to other dogs, so quarantine is recommended during treatment, as well as a complete cleaning of the bedding and surrounding area.

Again, Ivermectin is a common treatment for Cheyletiella mange. Lime sulfur dips are another option. Many people find their dogs do fine after a couple of baths using a flea and tick shampoo, which also tends to kill these mites.

Whichever type of mange your dog contracts, you are best off trying to improve their overall health and strength of their immune system to help them battle off these annoying parasites. It is always best to take care of any type of mange with the help and consultation of your veterinarian, since they will know more about the particular circumstances of your dog.

For more information on mange in dogs treatment, please visit my website: http://www.StopDogItching.com, where we talk about not only mange, but other common reasons of why dogs itch and what you can do to help them.