Mange in dogs is an infestation of mites in the skin of the dog. The mites will burrow down through either the skin or hair follicles and begin to multiply. Not only is this a painful and irritating ordeal for the dog, it can also lead to more serious, secondary infections and hair loss. The mite infestations can also be transmitted to humans and other pets in the house, so dealing with it as quickly as possible is the best way to eliminate the problem.
Instructions
The dog will begin to scratch and bite infected areas constantly, even while walking. Skin lesions may appear and the hair may loosen and fall out in patches. The dog will also likely be unable to sleep at night due to severe irritation.
Scratch the tips of the dog's ears and observe the back legs. If they kick while you're scratching, this is a sign that the dog has mange. This is called the Pedal-Pinna reflex. Because mites are often located around the ears, this produces a dog's reflexive scratching motion.
Scrape the skin of an infected area and view the sample under a microscope. Look for any mites. Certain types of mange are easier to detect with this method than others.
Your veterinarian may want to take blood samples to determine the type of infestation.