The most common type of mange mites are microscopic parasites called sarcoptes scabiei. These mange mites invade the healthy skin of animals, though the most common type of mite known as "mange mites" primarily lives on dogs. Humans, cats and other animals have their own type of mite species in the same family. Once mange mites have invaded the skin a variety of problems can occur---from hair loss and itching to more serious illness due to infection from the wounds. Mange mites can infect all breeds of dogs.
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Contraction
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The only way for a dog to become infected with mange mites is to be around another dog that has the mites. Mange is easily spread from one dog to another in areas where dogs are congregated together such as puppy mills, shelters and pet shops. Infestations are also common among homeless dogs that roam together. It's important to note that mites can live a few days without a host if it has became detached from its host, so it is possible for a dog to become infected with mange mites whether or not it has had direct contact with an infested animal.
Mange Mite Life Cycle
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Mites can spend their entire lives living on a dog. The female mite will burrow and tunnel her way beneath a dog's skin and lay eggs as she travels. After the female has deposited her eggs, she dies. Within a week the eggs hatch. The larvae begin their lives with six legs then grow an additional eight legs as they reach the nymph stage. The nymph will then molt into an adult mange mite. All of this takes place in the burrows and tunnels beneath the dog's skin. Adult mites mate and the process begins again. The life cycle of a mange mite is roughly three weeks.
Symptoms of Mange Mites
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A dog that has mange mites will have severe itching. Itching is most commonly around the ears, chest, belly, armpits, hocks and elbows---or areas that have the least amount of hair growth. Eventually, the infestation will grow, and it can spread over a dog's entire body. Hair loss will occur and small red pustules will form. These eventually turn into yellow-crusted sores. Dogs with mange mites will be terribly uncomfortable and will constantly be scratching themselves. Because the itching from the burrowing mange mites is so intense, dogs can scratch the infected areas raw. This trauma to the skin can result in new sores and infections.
Diagnosis
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It can take two to three weeks before a dog starts exhibiting extreme scratching. Most pet owners assume the dog is having an allergic reaction to something. Any dog that is scratching intensely should be taken to a vet so a skin scraping can be performed to see if mange mites are the cause of the itching. Even if no mites show up in the scraping, most vets will treat the dog for mange mites as a precaution.
Treatment
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Most dogs being treated for mange will have their hair clipped short. Then a special dip, shampoo or topical treatment will be applied to kill the mange mites. This treatment is generally repeated at four weeks to kill off any newly hatched mites. In addition to ridding the dog of the mite infestation, the dog's bedding and environment must be treated with a residual insecticide such as permethrin. If there are other animals in the home, they must be treated for mange mites whether or not they are showing the symptoms of infestation.
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