How Does a Dog Get Mange?

Mange is more than a minor skin issue. It’s a distressing condition caused by microscopic mites that can turn healthy skin into a painful battleground. Some mites are passed between dogs, others already live on your dog’s skin and multiply when the immune system drops its guard.

You may be wondering, ‘How does a dog get mange?’ Understanding how dogs catch mange is important to help you understand this important condition and how you can protect your dog.

What is mange?

Mange is a skin disease caused by parasitic mites that infest your dog’s skin.

There are three main types of mange in dogs:

Sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes mites.
Demodectic mange caused by Demodex mites.
Otodectic mange causes by ear mites (Otodectes cynotis).

What causes mange in dogs?

So, how does a dog get mange?

Sarcoptic mange: Highly contagious and intensely itchy. It spreads through contact with infected animals or environments, and can even affect humans.
Demodectic mange: Most dogs have low numbers of Demodex mites living in their hair follicles and they only cause disease if the immune system cannot keep the mite numbers in check.
Otodectic mange (ear mites): Eats mites are transmitted from contact with other dogs or cats.

Why is mange a problem?

The signs and symptoms of mange in dogs depends on the mite involved:

Sarcoptic mange can lead to hair loss, intense itching and secondary skin infections.
Demodectic mange can lead to hair loss, thickening of the skin and skin infections.
Otodectic mange can cause scratching around the head and ears, head shaking and a dark discharge and unpleasant odour from the ears.

Sarcoptic mange can also spread to humans, causing skin irritation and rashes.

Mange treatment for dogs

Diagnosis of mange requires assessment by a veterinarian. If you’re wondering how to get rid of mange, your vet will be able to recommend the most appropriate treatment. Highly effective treatment options available. For example, NexGard^® for Dogs and NexGard SPECTRA^® for Dogs treat and control demodectic mange, sarcoptic mange, and ear mites.

FAQs

Can a dirty house cause mange for dogs?
A dirty house doesn’t directly cause mange, but poor hygiene can create ideal conditions for mites to spread, especially if dogs are already stressed or have a compromised immune system.
Where does mange usually start on a dog?
Where mange usually starts depends on which mite is involved. For example, ear mites affect the ear canals and surrounding skin, while sarcoptic mange often starts on the skin on the outside of the ears and elbows before spreading.

What is the main cause of mange on dogs?
Mange is caused by microscopic mites. There are three main types of mange in dogs: sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes mites, demodectic mange caused by Demodex mites and otodectic mange caused by ear mites (Otodectes cynotis).