Contagious Mange

The most common type in Placencia is sarcoptic (contagious) mange. Both dogs and people can develop it. Symptoms include intense itching, skin redness, hair thinning, oozing sores, and crusts. Untreated, dogs can lose most of their hair and develop severe bacterial skin infections. It spreads easily from dog to dog and from dogs to people through direct contact or shared bedding and furniture. (People affected will clear on their own once the dog is treated, as the mite can only survive a few weeks on human skin.) Prevention: keep dogs clean with regular baths and well fed with quality food. Treatment: two doses of Ivermectin two weeks apart; steroids may be added for severe itching. Do not treat mange with burned motor oil — it is toxic and irritating to dogs.

Inherited Mange

The second most common type is demodectic (inherited) mange. It is not considered contagious and mainly affects puppies under 12 months and older dogs with other underlying conditions. Kittens and cats can also be affected. This type is harder to treat and requires periodic rechecking and skin scrapings by a vet. Treatment may include antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide shampoos, antiparasitic agents, and immune stimulants.

Diagnosing Mange

Only a vet can confirm whether a dog has contagious or inherited mange — or rule out other conditions like autoimmune disease, flea allergy, or contact dermatitis. If you think your dog might have mange, get it to a vet. Check the Events Calendar for the next scheduled clinic.