Sarcoptic mange in dogs, otherwise referred to as canine scabies, is a skin condition that is caused by a parasite called Sarcoptes scabiei. These microscopic mites can live up to four weeks in a dog's epidermis causing the animal a significant level of discomfort. The female mites burrow just below the surface of the dog's skin and lay their eggs throughout the tunnels they've created, causing the animal to experience an allergic reaction and severe skin irritations. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious and is easily transmitted from one dog to another. The affliction is also transferable from dogs to humans, although the life of sarcoptic mange in humans is short lived and seldom requires any type of treatment.
Instructions
Examine your dog's vulnerable areas and closely observe his behavior. Check the areas around his ears, face, abdomen and elbows. If redness, hair loss, or inflammation are present this is often an indication that sarcoptic mange is present. You may notice that your dog is itching, scratching excessively and rubbing his body against abrasive objects or surfaces. This may also be an indication that he has contracted sarcoptic mange.
Ask your veterinarian to perform a skin scraping. A small amount of surface skin will be scraped from the animal with a scalpel and examined under a microscope. If the presence of mites is confirmed the dog will be diagnosed positive for the affliction and the appropriate treatment can be administered. However, when the dog scratches the affected areas, he kills and removes patches of the infestation sometimes rendering the skin scrapings inconclusive. If skin scrapings provide negative results this does not always mean that the animal is free of mites and additional tests will be required.
Request to your pet care facility that your pet undergoes a biopsy, and that it is read by a dermatohistopathologist. When sarcoptic mange is suspected in dogs veterinarians will sometimes order a biopsy for the affected animal. The specific type of inflammation the pet is suffering can be an indication as to whether or not mites are present. Since it is difficult to see sarcoptic mange through a biopsy sample, it is often recommended by veterinarians that specimens be read by a dermatohistopathologist.
Have your dog treated for the affliction regardless of a negative diagnosis. In some cases, since sarcoptic mange is so difficult to detect, when symptoms occur a medical treatment for the condition is prescribed as a diagnostic technique. Once the dog has been treated, he is closely observed for 2 to 4 weeks to evaluate whether or not the symptoms subside. In most instances sarcoptic mange is successfully resolved with treatment and quite simple to diagnose with a trial course of medication.