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.
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Transmission
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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
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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
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Three to eight days after the female mite has laid the eggs, larvae emerge with six legs each.
Nymphs
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The larvae develop into eight-legged nymphs, which molt into adults while living in the burrows of a dog's skin.
Reproduction
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These new adults mate and the females lay eggs, continuing to infect the dogs with mange.
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