Sarcoptic mange causes intensely itchy skin in dogs, cats and other mammals. Caused by parasitic mites, sarcoptic mange is extremely contagious to other pets and humans. In humans, the itchy skin condition is called scabies.
What is Sarcoptic Mange and Scabies?
A dog may catch sarcoptic mange from another dog, cat or during a trip outside, particularly in thickly wooded areas with an abundance of wildlife. A dog can get sarcoptic mange from a human suffering from scabies. Scabies/sarcoptic mange is one of the few medical conditions that can be transmitted between dogs and humans.
According to Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, a dog develops sarcoptic mange when parasitic mites are transferred onto the dog's body. The female mite burrows into the skin and lays eggs beneath the skin's surface. As a result, of the mite infestation, the dog's skin will develop an allergic reaction. This allergic reaction causes the dog's skin to itch, flake and in some severe cases, the dog's skin will take on a red, swollen appearance over large areas.
Symptoms of Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs
Sarcoptic mange symptoms in dogs include:
- Red bug bite-like bumps, often with a red dot in the center
- Itchy, flaky skin
- Red, inflamed skin
- Sores and scabbing
- Fur loss
- intense, near-constant itching
- Crusty ear tips
Often, in the early stages, a dog with sarcoptic mange is misdiagnosed as having allergic dermatitis since the mites are difficult to detect by diagnostic methods like a skin scraping. But left untreated, the dog's red, itchy, flaky skin will only worsen.
Only once large populations of mites are present (usually once the dog has developed a moderate to severe case of sarcoptic mange) is the condition more easily detected by performing skin scrapings. This delay in diagnosis often results in the spread of the mites to humans and other pets.
Treating Sarpoctic Mange in Dogs
Treatment of a dog with sarcoptic mange can be difficult because like other pet parasite infestations, the dog and the home must be treated.
Sarpoctic mange treatment typically consists of the following measures:
- Two double-strength doses of Revolution or Heartguard, spaced two weeks apart for all pets in the household.
- Bathing the dog with a permethrin dip
- Prescribing antibiotics for skin infections
- Vacuuming all carpeting and furniture
- Spraying all carpeting and furniture with a spray containing permethrin
- Washing all blankets and toys in hot water with color-safe bleach, then drying on high heat
Due to the mites' tendency to burrow into pillows and dog beds, all such items should be thrown out or placed in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks. Sealing pillows, dog beds, quilts or other similar items in a plastic bag will kill the mites, as they cannot complete their life cycle without a host.
Notably, caution must be taken when treating herding dogs for sarpoctic mange as herding breeds have been known to experience potentially deadly neurological symptoms in reaction to some parasite treatments.
Symptoms of Scabies in Humans
A dog with sarcoptic mange can easily pass the parasite infestation to humans. When the parasitic mites infest a human, the condition is called scabies.
Symptoms of scabies in humans include red skin bumps similar in appearance to a small bug bite; but unlike a bug bite, the extremely itchy skin bumps do not disappear after a few days. The itchy bumps often develop into scabs or sores due to frequent scratching.
A case of scabies in humans is typically treated with a prescription of permethrin cream or oral medication.
Related Reading on Dog Parasites
To learn more about treating parasites in dogs, check out Flea Control Tips for Dogs and Does My Dog Have Skin Parasites?
Dog owners may also enjoy Why Does My Dog Have Itchy, Flaky Skin?
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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