Can My Dog Have Mange
Mange is an itchy, inflammatory disease caused by the mite Demodex. Making a determination of which mite your dog is infected with can determine the seriousness of mange. Typically mange in dogs is referred to as Demodicosis.
Mange can cause immune system problems, lesions and genetic disorders if left untreated. Both cats and dogs are known to contract this uncomfortable disease. Your dog\’s side effects will be different depending on which mite your pet is infected with.
Determining which type of mange your dog or cat has is the first thing your vet will do. Localized mange is typically found in certain parts of the body only. Generalized mange is found over the entire body and can be very difficult to cure and treatment is an ongoing thing.
If you see small patches of lesions around your dog\’s legs, face or trunk, then he probably has the milder form, which is localized mange. Generalized mange will appear over the whole body in the form of redness on the skin accompanied by the patches of lesions. Doctors will say that there is no known cause for mange however; some feel that immune system problems can prompt this disease in your dog.
It is believed that one form of mite can be transferred from the mother to the baby via nursing. There are to other forms of mites and it is not yet known how those mites are transferred. Demodex canis gets into the hair follicle of the pet causing this transmission during nursing.
There are a couple of ways to diagnosis demodectic mange in your dog or cat. Either a sample of urine can be tested if that is available, but also by testing a piece of scraped skin. Another possibility could be that your dog may have a bacterial infection of the hair follicle instead of mange.
Generalized mange can be the hardest to cure. You have the option of the lime-sulphur dip and continuous medication, which should alleviate some of the discomfort. In the more severe cases, it should be ascertained what type of life the dog will have to endure with this chronic condition, then determine the best solution for your dog.
Skin scrapings are necessary to continue testing the dog during its treatment to determine that the mites have been eliminated. If your dog is diagnosed with mange, it is important that you are diligent with the prescribed treatment. This will enable you to keep the spread of the disease under control.
As with any chronic condition, it is suggested that you not breed a dog with chronic mange. Prevention may be as easy as maintaining the good health of your pet. Regular bathing and grooming and healthy diet can help prevent the onset of mange.
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