Mange, a common affliction of dogs and rarely cats, causes localized skin irritation. Depending on the variety of mange and the degree of infection the symptoms vary. Three types of mange exist, demodectic, cheyletiella and sarcoptic. Non-transferable, demodectic mange poses no threat to humans or other animals. The condition only afflicts animals with a compromised immune system. Both cheyletiella and scarcoptic mange transfer easily to humans and other animals.
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Mite Transfer and Survival
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Both cheyletiella and sarcoptic mange transfer through direct contact with the dog or infected surroundings. The mites have the ability to survive off the host animal for long stretches of time. Sarcoptic mange will live for one to six days with ease away from the host animals. Cheyletiella is even more hardy then the sarcoptic mite; it will thrive off the host for 10 days, according to Dr. Susan Muller Esneault at Critterology. During this time period the mites have the ability to seek out a new host.
Time Frame Before Symptoms
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Mite infestation of both the sarcoptic mites and the cheyletiella mites does not become apparent until the mite population has exploded on the animal or human after transfer. Symptoms do not manifest with the sarcoptic mite until 3 to 6 weeks have passed since the infestation began. When cheyletiella mites infect a human or animals, symptoms begins three to five weeks after exposure
Characteristics
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The cheyletiella mite feeds on the keratin layers of the skin and the sebaceous secretions. It does not burrow into the skin of the host. Infestation is heaviest after transfer along the spine and around the ribcage. Sarcoptic mange mites burrow into the skin's surface to lay eggs, which causes intense itching and discomfort.
Symptoms
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After the dog acquires sarcoptic mange, it suffers itching that often results in the dog biting itself and inflicting wounds. Hair loss, papules and crustiness of the skin occurs. Secondary bacterial infections often take place with a severe infestation, according to Provet. Cheyletiella mite infestation causes scaling along the backbone and ribcage where the mites like to take up residence. When the infestation is severe the mites are visually apparent since cheyletiella mites are much larger then sarcoptic mites. Itching does occur with cheyletiella infestations but is not as severe as sarcoptic mange.
Treatment
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Both the animals and the surroundings must be treated when the diagnosis is made. A veterinarian will prescribe acaricides. Antibiotics help treat secondary bacterial infections. Antiseborrhoeic shampoos help to ease the skin irritation and reduce the mite population. If the mites are transferred to humans, the infestation rarely lasts. Severe itching will occur in the human but no treatment is normally required for control.
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