Sarcoptic Mange Life Cycle

The mite that causes sarcoptic mange in dogs is called Sarcoptes scabiei. The mite lives in dogs' skin causes hair loss and intense itching. A mite spends nearly its entire life of two to three weeks on a dog.

  1. Transmission

    • A dog will be infected by a female mite when coming into contact with another dog, bedding or other article that has been infected.

    Burrowing

    • The female mite will burrow into the skin of her new host and deposit eggs as she tunnels into the pet's skin. After she lays her eggs, she dies.

    Hatching

    • Three to eight days after the female mite has laid the eggs, larvae emerge with six legs each.

    Nymphs

    • The larvae develop into eight-legged nymphs, which molt into adults while living in the burrows of a dog's skin.

    Reproduction

    • These new adults mate and the females lay eggs, continuing to infect the dogs with mange.