Causes of Mange in Dogs

Pet dogs may seem cuddly and huggable because of their amusing appearance. Healthy dogs are characterized by healthy skin and hair. Dogs with really thick hair can look so cute but these canines can be prone to an infectious skin condition called canine mange.

Have you seen dogs with unsightly looking skin due to the redness and scabbing appearance? Definitely they are not the kind of dogs we want to cuddle and play with. You do not want such condition to occur in your own dog at home, right?

How could your dog contract such kind of skin disease?

Dog mange is primarily caused by a variety of microscopic mites that embed in the skin or hair follicles of the canine causing the dog to be scratching its skin ferociously. A few of these mites are highly infectious which can be passed on to any animal or human that comes in contact wit the dog. In the same way, the dog must have also acquired the disease from exposure to an infested area where infected animals are around.

If you leave your dog hovering around other canines on the street, there is a big possibility that your pet is affected by any of those animals that carry the disease. Mother dogs infected with dog mange can pass on the presence of mites to newly born puppies which are commonly the victims of the said skin problem.

There are different types of dog mange depending on the kind of mite that attacks the animal. For Demodectic Mange, Demodex Canis invade the skin of your dog, increasing in number rapidly if the dog has a weak immune system and has low resistance. Demodectic mites are elongated in shape and have a cigar-like appearance. They multiply in the pores of the dog and usually do not show initial symptoms.

The mites in Sarcoptic Mange are round in shape and burrow into the skin of the dog where the female mites also lay their eggs. These female mites cause the terrible itching and discomfort in the animal. Sarcoptic mites are quite difficult to find in skin scrapings, making it difficult as well for the veterinarian to diagnose the condition.

Dogs have to be properly groomed regularly to minimize the attack of these mites that threaten the lives of your pet dogs. If you do not wish to risk the health of your pet, keep them away from unwanted skin diseases by giving them proper care.