Thursday, March 18, 2010

Useful And Timely Information On Mange Symptoms And Ways You Can Cure It

By Wendell Ruben

If you've got a dog at home suffering from a condition called 'mange' you know the true meaning of the word 'irritation'. The dog is irritated by the condition and you're irritated at his constant scratching, biting and digging into his skin. Read on for a little bit about this problem and some information on mange symptoms.

Mange is primarily a problem with younger or older dogs. Most adult dogs have a sufficiently strong immune systems to fend off an attack of mites, which is basically what mange is. Puppies who haven't yet developed a strong immune system are most susceptible. Also, older dogs whose immune systems may be compromised in one way or another.

The first type of mange is known as demodectic mange and is caused by a tiny, eight-legged spider-like creature that burrows into the skin of the host. They're invisible to the human eye. They will cause the dog to want to scratch all the time because they're constantly irritating him. The dog's hair will commonly thin out around the eyes and mouth and maybe the front legs. This condition might go away on its own after a while, but not necessarily. This dog may require treatment.

Cheyletiella mange(also known as walking dandruff) is caused by a larger, red mite, that can actually be seen under a magnifying glass. Symptoms are a heavy sprinkling of white dandruff flakes on the dog's head, neck and back and a mild itching. It's contagious but short-lived.

The worst of the three kinds of mange is Sarcoptic. It's also known as 'scabies', and can affect humans as well as animals. It's contagious. This is another invisible (to the human eye) mite that lays eggs under the skin of the host. It takes about three weeks for these eggs to hatch and start laying eggs of their own. It will drive the dog absolutely crazy. Just watch him.

Dogs suffering from scabies will scratch till they bleed and dig and bite at themselves continually, trying to relieve the irritation these mites are providing. Chances are good the sores they cause will become infected, too. This means you'll have to not only treat for the mites but for the infection too.

Some symptoms of sarcoptic mange include intense itching and hair loss. Crust on the ears, hairless patches on the elbows, legs and face (in the early stages)will all be apparent. Later on the hair loss may spread throughout the body. It's contagious to both other dogs and to humans. This one needs to be taken care of right now. Take your dog to the Vet. It's the best idea.

Other conditions can mimic the symptoms of mange, thus making diagnosing the disease difficult. This is especially true if open sores and infections are covering the affected area(s). The first symptoms are always dry, itchy skin, but these can be signs of some unrelated condition also. You might want to look into getting a little more information on mange symptoms, which is readily available online. Nobody wants a mangy mutt!

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