If there’s one thing our dogs hate the most, these are mites. They are these tiny parasites that can cause a variety of skin conditions ranging from dry skin, inflammation, or hair loss.
Mites make our dog’s lives uncomfortable. They usually live in the fur or the ears. Mites can cause several diseases that can make our dog’s life miserable.
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What Is Demodectic Mange?
What is One known disease that is caused by mites is Demodectic Mange, which is commonly known as Mange. Mange is an infection that is characterized by red and itchy skin.
This infection is caused by Demodex Canis or Demodex mites, which live in the hair follicles of a particular host. Demodex mites are common and are found in small parts of your pet’s skin. These mites become harmful if the immune system of furry tour friends is weak.
These mites multiply, and they cause itchiness. The tendency is that your pet will continually scratch the intense itch, and it will develop (pyodermatitis) or secondary bacterial infections.
We don’t want our pet to suffer and want to get rid of these nasty creatures. Here are ten important facts about Demodectic Mange in Dogs.
10 Important Facts About Demodectic Mange In Dogs
1. Symptoms of Demodectic Mange
You may observe that your dogs are itching and scratching more than usual. Their discomfort level are way up, almost appearing to literally bite or tear off their skin. They become restless and uncomfortable. You may discover patches on your dog’s face, and their skin could be red and scaly.
2. Types Of Demodectic Mange
Before you go about home treatments, it is important to know the different types of Demodectic Mange.
- Sarcoptic Mange ( Scabies ): These are highly contagious that can possibly be passed on to humans. Scabies is caused by circular mites that can live in your dog’s skin for a long time. They live on the surface of your pet’s skin, which causes an intense itch. The symptoms are intense itching, skin infections, patchy fur losses, crusty, and red sores on the armpits, stomach, chest, and abdomen.
- Localized Demodectic Mange ( Demodicosis ): This is common to puppies who might have gotten it from their mother’s milk. This type is characterized by hairless patches that usually appear on a dog’s face, trunk, or legs.
3. Is Demodectic Mange Contagious?
This skin condition is not contagious, especially for humans, but it is best to see a vet if your pet is suffering from these conditions just to be safe and to get rid of these mites that cause the infection.
4. How is Mange Diagnosed?
If your dog’s show symptoms of uneasiness and is constantly itching, you may need to see a vet and have your fur buddy checked. If you are at home, you may check for mites living on your pet’s body, particularly on the part that they usually scratch, and most of the mites tend to live on the stomach, behind the ears and paws. If you see these nasty little creatures, it is best to see a vet for proper medication.
5. Treatment for Demodectic Mange
Demodectic Mange will require treatment not only to heal but also to control the mites. Most vets will prescribe shampoos or soap for treatment. Treatment may include:
- Baths with medicated soaps or shampoos on a weekly basis to heal the soar or infected skin. Most shampoos and soaps are also medicated to get rid of the mites.
- Mite control and eradication include the application of compounds like imidacloprid-moxidectin and selamectin formulations.
- Oral treatments are also used for treatment.
- Hair clipping.
6. Which Pets are Most Prone to Developing Demodectic Mange?
Puppies or young dogs are prone to this infection compared to adult dogs. Healthy puppies can clear the infections after several weeks. Adult dogs and puppies who are ill are most likely to also get infected by Mange.
Dogs with the poor immune system are most like get mange infections. Mange infection can be lethal if your pet has a weak immune system as it can suppress its immune system.
7. Is Demodectic Mange Hereditary?
There is a great risk that Mange is inherited. Puppies get these mites from their mother. Healthy pets get rid of the infection within several weeks, but for some, you may need to have medicine prescribed by your vet.
8. Prevention is Better than Cure
Keep your pets healthy to prevent then from getting Demodectic Mange. Also, it is best to keep a healthy and clean environment to avoid such infection. Demodectic Mange can be inherited, so it is best not bred dogs with generalized chronic Demodectic Mange so that it will not be passed to the offspring.
9. How to Prevent Your Dogs from Getting Demodectic Mange
- Feed them healthy foods. Minimize grains or carbohydrates.
- Good grooming is essential, which includes taking a bath 2x a week and brushing their hair.
- As much as possible, avoid stressing your pet. Reduce stress in their environment so that they won’t feel anxious or depressed.
- Keep them away from those who are infected by Mange.
- See your vet for medications that could make your dog healthy and have them provide aid if your dog is showing symptoms of the infection.
10. When to See a Doctor
If you notice that your pet is showing symptoms of this infection, see your vet right away. Demodectic Mange should not be taken lightly as it can be stressful to your not to mention that generic chronic cases can be lethal and may cause serious condition to your pet’s health. Your vet will know what’s best for your furry pet, so do not wait that the condition gets worse.
At the end of the day, your furry friend’s health is what matters most. Keep them healthy and clean all the time. Demodectic Mange can be a challenging disease for our best furry friend, but the good thing is that there are many ways to treat and manage this disease.
Other skin conditions that will be prevented by a simple flea and tick collar application are itchiness and skin irritation from flea and tick infestation. Get your pet a quality preventative flea and tick collar to stave off these pesky bugs.