3. What is Dog Mange?

OK, so I hit the web, I'm pissed off because I've been putting this Lotridimine or whatever they call it on my dog's back for 2 weeks only to find that he doesn't have ringworm, he's suffering from some s#!t they call mange. So again I do heavy research into "mange" and find out that it is a condition where these little parasite bugs called MITES roam ON or IN your dogs skin and proliferate. They generally cause a level of discomfort that can include itching, pain, and severe health problems. These effects are whats known as MANGE. The three mites themselves that cause mange are known as The Demodectic Mite and The Sarcoptic Mite. The 3rd one, I forgot the name, but they call it "walking dandruff" and would kill itself after a short while. It's not even serious, so I'll focus on the heavy hitters. Both of them cause a different type of Mange.


DEMODECTIC MITES (Demodex canis)
These mites cause Demodectic Mange, also known as Red Mange. Demodectic/Red Mange is not contagious to Humans. I've learned that Demodectic Mites live on all dogs, but their numbers are generally kept in check by a healthy dog's immune system. Therefore, as long as your dog is pretty healthy, he's completely immune to demodectic mange. If that immune system is weakened or compromised, the dogs body cannot stop these ugly things from invading and overpopulating the skin.

The are two types of Demodectic Mange: Localized and Generalized. Localized meaning that there are only 4 spots or less in your dog, and generally in the same area, while generalized means that spots are appearing anywhere your dogs body and not necessarily together.


SARCOPTIC MITES (Sarcoptes scabiei canis)
Sarcoptic Mites cause what is known as Sarcoptic Mange or Canine Scabies.

According to Wikipedia:

Also known as canine scabies, sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious infestation of Sarcoptes scabiei canis, a burrowing mite. The canine sarcoptic mite can also infest humans (scabies), cats, pigs, horses, sheep and various other species.

These mites are in the family Sarcoptidae. They dig into and through the skin, causing intense itching and crusting that can quickly become infected. Hair loss and crusting frequently appear first on elbows and ears. Skin damage can occur from the dog's intense scratching and biting. Secondary skin infection is also common. Dogs with chronic sarcoptic mange are often in poor condition.