Mange is a skin condition brought about by tiny mites that burrow beneath the surface of an infected animal's skin. The disease is serious and brings about symptoms in both pets and wild animals. Mange is common in pet dogs and cats; in the wild, foxes and squirrels are particularly susceptible to its effects.
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Types
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Among the common types of mange are notoedric mange, sometimes called "feline mange" but also seen frequently in squirrels; demodectic mange, found often in dogs, particularly puppies; and sarcoptic mange, or scabies, which can affect many types of mammals.
Considerations
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It is very easy for an infected animal to transfer the mites that precipitate sarcoptic mange to another creature, including a human. The mites responsible for notoedric mange on cats can be passed to humans, but those that infest squirrels are host-specific.
Symptoms
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Some of the characteristics of mange are loss of hair, bald spots, thick and wrinkled skin and the formation of crusts and scabs on the animal. In bad cases of mange, the animal will appear lethargic, weak and emaciated.
Effects
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Squirrel and fox populations have declined in many states due to the effects of mange. Untreated cases of mange can weaken an animal and put it at risk of falling victim to other diseases, which may possibly kill it.
Prevention/Solution
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Oral medications such as ivermectin can treat mange in some dogs, cats and even some wild animals. Pet owners may prevent mange by giving their pets proper care, maintaining them in good health, keeping them away from other animals with mange and consulting their veterinarians when they suspect mange in their animals.
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