Mange. I know it's scary. Especially if you rescue or foster. We recently added two pups that were diagnosed with mange. First question, is the mange contagious? We certainly have to protect the pack we already have.
Our local vet said the little chihuahua, Pippy, has "red mange." This is just another name for demodectic mange. The pitty, Miss Maggie was diagnosed with Demodex mange. These are the same thing, just different names. Both are non contagious, both are more common in puppies, or dogs with weakened immune symptoms. Interesting enough both of the dogs fall into this category. They were both strays so a weakened immune system is common in both. Pippy still has baby teeth and the vet guessed she was about 8 months old. Maggie was underweight. This type of skin condition usually affects localized areas of the skin as well. Poor Maggie was covered in localized areas of mange, was hard to tell it was localized. The humane society she came from had done a skin scraping to confirm.
Another type of mange is sarcoptic mange. This is caused by scabies! Highly contagious not only to other dogs but also to humans. A gross fact, the female mite burrows into the skin and lays her eggs, which then hatch three weeks later. The young feed on the hosts skin!
One more type is Cheyletiella Mange. This form is also highly contagious. Looks like walking dandruff. Some dogs you can actually see the mites...eeek gross! These mites live on the top layer of the dogs skin causing flaking peeling, scaling, and itching.
So after seeing the veterinarian, treatment began. A bath for both pups was necessary. After a gentle chlorahexadine wash in warm water, we started both dogs on multi vitamin. They were also prescribed some antibiotics to treat any secondary skin infections. Oral ivermectin daily with the baths alternating to weekly the every other week to then monthly were to continue till the pups were clear. Obviously good food and a clean environment were a must.
Both Maggie and Pippy are healing and gaining weight. Maggie looks as though she will be mostly a black dog with white socks. Pippy is still unknown, but has red short hair for now. Hopefully both will become the beautiful dogs we know that are meant to be!!! Will keep updating posts on progress.
Add comment
Comments