Details given about signs of mange
Q: “Buster,” my German Shepherd, has lost some of his hair. My neighbor says he looks like he has the mange. I always thought that was just an expression, but she says that mange is a real thing. So, what is mange?
J.W., Farragut
A: Mange is the common term for a group of parasites called mites. Mange mites are microscopic, and therefore cannot be seen with the naked eye. They can live in different cell layers under the skin, sebaceous glands and/or hair follicles.
There are multiple types, the most common being Demodex and Sarcoptes. Both types can cause hair loss. If your veterinarian suspects mange, he/she will do a skin scraping with microscopic evaluation to diagnose the condition.
Briefly, Demodex is a mite that is not contagious to people or other pets. Pets with Demodex may be itchy, but some are not itchy at all. Sarcoptes is a mite that is contagious to people and other pets. Pets with Sarcoptes can be extremely itchy. Both species can cause secondary bacterial infections.
There are other possibilities as to the cause of Buster’s hair loss, such as fleas, ringworm, bacterial infections or allergies. Your veterinarian will examine Buster and talk to you about any tests (if needed) to diagnose him and help your dog get back on track.
For questions, e-mail Myers at lenoircityac@gmail.com/.
