Things You'll Need
- Veterinarian
Instructions
Demodectic Mange
Observe your pet. Most common to puppies, but sometimes diagnosed in cats, demodectic mange is extremely serious. This type cannot be cured, but can be managed. It is a good sign if hair is growing back in areas where it has been lost, often around the face and paws. A decrease in itching and dissipation of septic smell also signals a decrease in mites.
Inspect your pet's coat closely. While you cannot see these mites with the naked eye, you may notice healing of scaly or irritated skin, reduction of dander to a normal level and an absence of sores caused by demodectic mange.
Take your pet to a veterinarian. They can conduct skin scrapings that may indicate an absence of mites. With this type of mange, however, a continuous treatment regimen may be required.
Sarcoptic Mange
Look for a decrease in intense scratching from your pet. Renewed hair growth, particularly on the elbows, ears, chest and belly, indicates the mange is healing. Less serious than demodectic but highly contagious, sarcoptic mange is the most common form diagnosed in dogs.
Examine your dog's skin for pustules and crusty skin. Absence or healing of these signals successful treatment of your dog's condition. If your dog develops sores from scratching, monitor it for any indication that the itchiness has subsided.
Visit your veterinarian for confirmation that the mange is gone. Skin tests can normally confirm this. Your veterinarian may want to examine your dog's lymph nodes if skin irritation has caused them to enlarge.
Notoedric Mange
Monitor your cat for hair growth in areas affected by notoedric mange, similar to sarcoptic mange in dogs. A drop in intense scratching by your cat is a good sign.
Look closely at your cat's skin for healed sores or lesions. Crusty skin, scales and papules should heal if the treatment is working.
Consult your veterinarian to conclusively determine if the mange is gone. Since symptoms of notoedric mange are partially attributed to an allergic reaction to mites, some problems may persist even after the treatment takes effect.
Cheyletiella Mange
Look for a decrease in dandruff on your pet. Cheyletiella mange is referred to as "walking dandruff" because you can often see the tiny mites moving on the loose skin where they live.
Check your pet closely for dandruff under the outer layer of fur. This type of mange may or may not exhibit hair loss or itchy skin like the others.
Visit your local veterinarian for a definitive prognosis on your pet's cheyletiella mange.