What is sarcoptic mange?
Sarcoptes are tiny parasites that burrow into the outer layers of the skin. These mites cause a highly contagious skin disease known as sarcoptic mange or sabies. Sarcoptic mange is treatable but can be expensive and time consuming.
Is sarcopitc mange serious? What does it do to my pet?
Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious, therefore all animals in the household can become infested. Severe itching and red bumps on the arms and other parts of the body are typical in people. Scratching leads to hair loss and self-inflicted trauma such as skin abrasions. Skin lesions are often raised and reddish and may become infected with bacteria. Thick yellow crusts and wrinkling of the skin develop over time. The skin may feel greasy. Lesions may appear anywhere on an animal’s body, but occur most commonly on the elbows, ears, stomach and chest.
Some well-groomed animals with sarcoptic mange may have few or none of these clinical signs. Grooming removes some of the characteristic skin lesions.
Where did my pet get sarcoptes from?
Sarcoptes mites are transferred from one animal to another by direct contact. Newly infested animals begin to show clinical signs
Can I get sarcoptic mange?
Sarcoptes mites can also infest people. Severe itching, red bumps on the body, and hair loss are typical in people with sarcoptic mange. If your pet has been diagnosed with sarcoptes, and you see any of these signs appear on you or a family member, consult with your general physician immediately.
How do I find out if my pet is infected?
A history of recent exposure to other animals followed by the onset of skin disease characterized by intense scratching suggests a diagnosis of sarcoptic mange. Concurrent skin disease in family members supports the diagnoses. The diagnoses can be confirmed by finding mites on your pet. Mites are found by scraping the skin and exmining the collected material under a microscope. Mites are occasionally found in a pet’s feces as well. This occurs when an animal ingests the mites by licking or biting infested areas of its skin. If mites cannot be found, your veterinarian may think the presence of the clinical signs alone warrants treating your pet for sarcoptic mange.
If my pets skin scrape comes back positive for sarcoptes, what is the treatment plan?
Clipping the coats of long-haired animals facilitates treatment. Antiseborrheic shampoos help remove crusts and scales. Insecticides are used to kill sarcoptic mites. Bayside Animal Hospital typically treats with a medicated bath, once weekly for 6 weeks, or longer should mites still be found during the recheck exam.
Does my pet need to be on a special diet during treatment?
Typically pets can remain on their normal daily diet routine. The only time a diet change is suggested is if your pet has become ill (diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting) from the sarcoptes mites which is rare in most cases that are seen at our hospital.
What can I do to protect my pet from reinfection after treatment?
Since this type of mange is from contact with an infected animal, it is best to keep pets away from those infected. Should you find a stray animal and decide to house it, and it has any of the signs of mange, you should keep your pets and yourself seperated at all times until the veterinarian can diagnose the pet.
A sarcoptes mite under the microscope
A severe case of sarcoptic mange in a young dog.
*Thanks to dogsobediencetraining.com for the educational photos!
