Veterinary Help

Sarcoptic mange is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei and can lead to severe pruritus in dogs. It is contagious from dog to dog and can also be transmitted to humans.

The most notable clinical sign is a severe pruritus. Unlike itching due to allergies, it is minimally if at all responsive to steroids. Dogs typically also have hair loss on the ear tips, elbows and hocks. With chronic, untreated infestation, hair loss may also be seen on the trunk. The hair loss can be severe with crusts, thickening of the skin and secondary skin infections.

The mite is transmitted by dog to dog contact. The mites do not live in bedding or on surfaces as fleas do. Infected dogs will develop clinical signs several weeks to over a month after contact. Dogs are the preferred host but the mite can temporarily cause problems with humans leading to a pruritic rash that usually resolves after treatment of the infected dog. A physician may need to be contacted in cases of human infestation.

A positive diagnosis can be made by finding the mites or their eggs on a skin scraping. The mites and eggs can be very difficult to find so in cases of suspected infection these dogs are usually treated even with a negative test.

Treatment is most often application of several doses of selemectin which is the main ingredient in a common monthly heartworm prevention. Since some dogs can be asymptomatic carriers, all dogs that the infected dog is in contact with need to be treated. A response to treatment is usually noted in 1-2 weeks. Secondary bacterial skin infections need to be addressed as
well.