Signs and Symptoms of Dog Scabies

Scabies, or sarcoptic mange, affects dogs, causing painful sores that cover the skin. The disease forms as microscopic mites enter the dog's skin through a burrowing technique and begin to hatch their eggs under the skin. While it is appropriate to diagnose your dog by learning about the signs and symptoms of scabies, it is best to see a veterinarian; she will ultimately be able to determine the true status of your dog's health as well as prescribe medication to get rid of the mange mites.

  1. Itchiness

    • If your dog has scabies, you will see him scratching and biting himself vigorously. The dog's scratching will become much more severe in warm areas, such as near a vent or fireplace. The scratching is due to an allergic reaction to the sarcoptic mite, according to PetEducation.com. When you notice that your dog continues such labored scratching over the length of one season, you can assume, with a good amount of certainty, that he has scabies.

    Skin Problems

    • As a result of the irritation due to the mites burrowing into your dog's skin and the constant scratching, you will soon see oozing sores in areas with less fur. Typical areas include the belly, ears and elbows. A yellow-colored crust will accompany red pus-filled sores as the mites continue to live on your dog's skin. Because of the dog's ferocious scratching, secondary infections may occur as the skin becomes more traumatized. The affected areas of skin may also become darker, and the lymph nodes may swell. Dry and wrinkled skin also typically accompany the later stages of your dog's scabies problem.

    Hair Loss

    • Your dog will begin to lose hair around the elbows, ears, legs and face as he first starts to combat the pain from the mites by itching and biting. The mites themselves also cause hair loss; for as they delve into the skin, the dog's fur becomes affected. Hair loss will move onto the rest of the body as the mites continue to live on the dog's skin.

    Strange Odor

    • As your dog's battle with scabies rages on, you will begin to notice a foul-smelling odor emanating from her. When mites increase their population by hatching eggs under the dog's skin, this causes a smell similar to athlete's foot or cheese, according to MangeInDogs.com.