Mange¹

P. G. Koehler²

Mange is an unsightly and painful condition caused by burrowing mange mites. Mange is contagious and is spread by contact from infested to non-infested animals. Mange can occur in man, dogs, cats, horses, sheep, cattle and other animals.

Canine Mange

Sarcoptic mange (Figure 1) of dogs is related to the human skin disease called scabies. Dog mange is caused by the canine mange mite which frequently also attacks man. A closely related mite attacks cats and produces a severe mange in felines.

Figure 1.

Sarcoptic mange mite.

The female canine mange mite lives in the upper layers of skin and lays 20 to 40 eggs singularly which hatch in 3 to 5 days. The larvae molt to the nymphal stage. The nymphs mature to adults. The larvae, nymphs and adult male mites live under scales on the skin surface and do not burrow. The entire life cycle is completed in 8 to 17 days.

Canine mange first appears on dogs as reddish, inflamed papules on the edges of the ears, in the groin or armpits. Usually symptoms first appear on the head. Red spots appear and burrowing female mites cause the skin to exude serum which dries to form scabs and crusts. The scratching of the animals causes the infected area to spread rapidly. Infested areas become dry, hair falls out, the skin thickens and wrinkles. Irritation from the scratching often leads to secondary infection causing an unpleasant odor. If untreated, the animal may die of exhaustion, dehydration, or secondary infection.

Canine mange in humans is characterized by a rash developing after contact with an infected dog. The eruption usually appears as pimples but also may appear as blisters and inflammation. Mange symptoms generally appear on the forearms, thighs and abdomen, but may occur in areas not infested by mites. This is an immune response disease with some individuals reacting more severely than others.

Feline mange usually starts on the heads of cats forming crusts, causing the skin to thicken and crease.

Dogs and cats exhibiting mange symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian for treatment. Mange symptoms are often confused with flea bite reactions. Humans with canine mange should consult a physician.

Red Mange

Red mange or demodectic mange (Figure 2) of dogs is caused by a mite which lives in the hair follicles of the skin. The first evidence of red mange is the appearance of bald areas where hair has fallen out. As the bald area spreads, itching and irritation increases. Bacterial infections are usually associated with red mange and produce a foul odor. Red mange usually weakens the animal exposing it to other diseases which then kill the animal. Many animals will self cure. The disease is most common in dogs from 3 months to 1½ years old. Stressed animals often exhibit mange symptoms. The most effective control is applied by veterinarians.

Figure 2.

Demodectic mange mite.

Ear Mange

Ear mange is common among dogs, cats and rabbits. The mites do not burrow in the skin but live deep in the ear canal and feed on skin. The resulting irritation causes the ear canal to become congested. The affected animal rubs its ears and shakes its head to relieve the itching.

Ear mange may be treated by applying mineral oil to the ear canal with a medicine dropper or cotton swab and by cleaning accumulations of foreign matter every other day for about 3 weeks.

Mange Prevention

Proper care, good hygiene, and the maintenance of good health will increase a pet's resistance to skin disease. Canine mange mainly occurs on young animals which are undernourished and suffering from internal parasites and mothered by infested animals.

Pets should not be permitted to mingle with mangy animals or contact premises occupied by them since individual contact is the most important method of transmission.

In almost all cases of mange on pets a veterinarian should be consulted.

Footnotes

This document is ENY-207, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: February 1993. Revised: June 2005. Revised: June 2008. Please visit the EDIS Website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

P. G. Koehler, professor/extension entomologist, Entomology and Nematology Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.