How to Identify Mange in Dogs

Mange is a skin condition caused by small mites that parasitize dogs. There are two primary types of mange, categorized by their causes and symptoms. It is crucial for pet owners to recognize the signs and understand the differences between each type. While mange rarely poses a life-threatening risk to pets, early identification can make treatment much easier later on.

Look for intense itching. Sarcoptic mange mites often cause severe itching. Dogs may scratch or bite their skin incessantly to relieve the itch. The skin becomes irritated and inflamed due to the constant scratching and biting, which makes it more susceptible to infections. The itching can be so intense that the dog may ignore basic needs like eating, drinking, or resting.

• Severe cases of Sarcoptic mange can lead to secondary bacterial or fungal infections, which cause white, scaly patches on the affected skin, although this doesn't happen in every case. Additionally, dogs with secondary infections may experience weight loss, fever, and/or swollen lymph nodes.

Check for hair loss. Localized mange caused by the Demodectic parasite (commonly referred to as 'scabies') is less severe, typically resulting in one or two areas of "thinning" or bald patches. These small areas usually don't become inflamed or irritated and do not cause significant itching.

Be cautious when thinning or bald patches spread. If localized Demodectic mange doesn't resolve on its own, it may spread to other parts of the dog’s body, leading to generalized mange. The thinning or bald patches will grow larger, sometimes reaching up to 2.5 cm in diameter. The skin in these areas will become red, scaly, and/or hard.

• Skin inflammation causes the dog to scratch more, which may lead to more serious infections. Some secondary infections can cause symptoms similar to mange, including fever, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes.

Check if the dog’s paws are swollen or irritated. In some cases, localized Demodectic mange causes Demodectic paw inflammation. This occurs when the mange mites burrow deeper into the dog’s paws, making treatment difficult. The paws often become swollen and sore. Symptoms tend to be more severe around the nail base and often accompany other secondary infections.

Look for swollen, red patches of skin on your body or others in your household. One way to identify mange in dogs is by looking for mite bites on the pet owner's skin. When the mites causing Sarcoptic mange are transmitted to humans, they can result in red, swollen bumps that resemble mosquito bites. Fortunately, this symptom rarely worsens. However, noticing these signs after being near a dog that’s incessantly scratching is a reliable indicator of Sarcoptic mange.

• Note: we are not affected by the mites that cause Demodectic mange.

Be aware that the symptoms of mange may also indicate other (potentially serious) conditions in dogs. Itching or patchy hair loss can also be symptoms of other skin disorders, such as allergies, Cushing’s syndrome (secondary adrenal insufficiency), diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and parasitic infections. Therefore, it is important to consult with a veterinarian about the dog’s condition to apply the appropriate diagnostic and treatment methods.

Hold one of the dog's ears. If you notice your dog scratching more than usual and you're unsure whether they have Sarcoptic mange, this simple test can be helpful. Gently lift one of the dog’s ears. Hold the soft, light part of the ear between your thumb and index finger.

• If you're concerned about being bitten by the mites causing mange on the dog’s body, it’s recommended to wear disposable gloves.

Gently rub the dog’s ear between your fingers. Use your thumb and index finger to gently rub the edges of the dog’s ear. The movement should be slow and gentle, without squeezing too hard. While doing this, pay attention to the rear leg on the side of the ear you're rubbing.

Observe the dog’s movements due to itching. Watch for movement in the dog's rear leg, as if the dog is trying to scratch its ear. If this happens, your dog may have Sarcoptic mange. In this case, you should wash your hands and take the dog to the vet as soon as possible.

• This diagnostic test (known as the paw reflex test for the ear flap) is effective because, in the vast majority of Sarcoptic mange cases, the mites tend to reside inside and around the dog’s ears. When you rub the ear, the pet will feel itchy due to the mites’ stimulation and try to scratch.

Note that the paw reflex test for the ear flap does not provide a definitive diagnosis of Sarcoptic mange. This test only confirms that the dog is itchy and sensitive but cannot determine the cause. Sarcoptic mange is often difficult to diagnose accurately. The paw reflex test for the ear flap may lead to a provisional diagnosis of mange, in which case you should begin treatment for the dog as soon as possible. If the dog responds well to the treatment, it can be considered a confirmation of the diagnosis.

Distinguishing between Sarcoptic and Demodectic mange. Dogs can suffer from two types of mange—Sarcoptic and Demodectic. While both can become severe, each has distinct symptoms (see Section 1) and originates from different causes. Sarcoptic mange is an infection caused by a mite that spreads from infected animals. On the other hand, Demodectic mange is caused by a different type of mite that typically lives on the dog’s skin. Although most dogs can coexist with this parasite, sometimes the mites proliferate too much, causing hair loss and itching.

• While both Sarcoptic and widespread Demodectic mange cause itching, it’s important to distinguish between the two — Sarcoptic mange tends to cause intense, immediate itching, whereas Demodectic mites cause irritated patches that gradually spread, and then itching begins.
• While Sarcoptic mange itself isn’t life-threatening, a dog’s health can deteriorate quickly if it becomes severely infected or suffers from loss of appetite and sleep. In this case, it’s important to treat your dog immediately. This is quite apparent — a dog with severe Sarcoptic mange will visibly deteriorate.
• Sarcoptic mange is sometimes referred to as ordinary mange.
• Demodectic mange is also called Demodex mange.

Understand the difference between localized and generalized Demodex mange. A key feature of localized Demodex mange is hair loss at one or two spots. This can be caused by immune deficiency, allergies, or hormonal disorders. If left untreated, these patchy areas (commonly known as 'xa mau') may worsen, becoming irritated, infected, leading to itching, and forming scabs (mange crusts).

• Localized Demodex mange is more common in puppies. In about 90% of cases, it will resolve on its own within one or two months. However, in a few cases, it may progress into generalized Demodex mange.
• While the dog itself doesn’t inherit the Demodex mite parasite by genetics, dogs with generalized Demodex mange often inherit a predisposition from their parents.

Learn how to identify the signs of Demodex foot dermatitis as early as possible. Foot dermatitis is the third type of Demodex mange. In some cases, typical signs of Demodex mange appear, while in others, only foot infections develop. Treating foot dermatitis can be lengthy and complex, involving antibiotic injections and frequent foot soaks with Mitaban solution. Because treatment is challenging, early detection is crucial.

Take your dog to the vet. If you suspect your dog might have contracted a type of mange, consult with a veterinarian. Only a trained and experienced vet can perform the appropriate tests to diagnose the type and severity of the condition. Based on the diagnosis, the vet will prescribe the right treatment. Mange is usually easiest to treat when caught early, so it’s important to take your dog for an examination as soon as possible to ensure a quick recovery for your pet.

• Sarcoptic mange cases require more urgent attention than Demodex mange. The severe itching caused by the Sarcoptic mite can make your dog extremely uncomfortable (and more importantly, the disease can quickly lead to other health issues), so early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.
• Localized Demodex mange cases are exceptions to this rule. Because the condition often resolves on its own, a vet visit may not always be necessary, though you might want to consult with the vet to ease your mind and rule out other conditions.

Clean or replace bedding, collars, and other items. When your dog has mange (especially Sarcoptic mange, which is highly contagious), any items that have been in contact with the dog’s fur or skin during this time must be washed or replaced immediately (including bedding, collars, leashes, clothes, doghouses, and grooming tools). This cleaning is particularly important if you have other pets that haven’t contracted mange.

• For fabric items, wash them with bleach or borax and dry them at the highest possible temperature. For hard items or surfaces, use a hospital-grade disinfectant. Perform this cleaning daily until the mange is completely cleared up.

Do not breed dogs with Demodex mange. As mentioned earlier, dogs suffering from severe Demodex mange may have a weakened immune system inherited from their parents. Because of this, owners undergoing long-term, challenging treatment for Demodex mange are often advised not to breed their dogs. In cases of mild localized Demodex mange, breeding may be acceptable, especially if the condition occurred when the dog was young and resolved on its own.

• However, some veterinarians may still recommend against breeding any dog with any form of Demodex mange. If you are unsure whether breeding your dog is a good idea, consult with a vet who is familiar with your dog for advice. The vet will likely be able to suggest a plan that meets your needs and ensures the health of future puppies.

Isolate other pets from a dog with Sarcoptic mange. Isolation is crucial because Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious, and separating the infected dog from other pets will prevent the disease from spreading. If your dog has Sarcoptic mange, keep it separate from other animals. Do not let the infected dog sleep, eat, or play near other pets. If you suspect a neighbor’s dog has contracted mange, avoid allowing your dog to interact with it. Once the mange is completely cleared, the dog can rejoin other pets as usual.

• Note that no form of Demodex mange is known to spread from pets to humans. In rare cases, the disease may spread from one dog to another. However, isolation measures are typically not implemented even when the disease worsens.

Understand the risks of transmitting Sarcoptic mange. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious and can spread easily from an infected dog to others. Often, infected dogs show few or no signs of the disease. Sarcoptic mites can be transmitted from mother dogs to puppies and are common in crowded living conditions, poor care environments, such as puppy mills, boarding kennels, and animal shelters. However, a dog can still contract the mites even without direct contact with an infected animal: mites can survive for 4-21 days in temperatures between 10-15°C, and 2-6 days at temperatures of 20-25°C.

• A dog can contract mange from items recently used by an infected pet, such as blankets or towels. Similarly, if grooming salons do not regularly disinfect clippers, towels, and kennels, they may contribute to the spread of mange.
• Wild animals, such as prairie wolves or foxes, can also be infected with Sarcoptic mange, so allowing your dog to play in areas frequented by wildlife may expose it to the disease.