naturalpet MANAGING
T MANGEreatment Plans that Speed Relief
by Dr. Matthew J. Heller “M
angy mutt” may seem a benign enough term for a sorry-looking pooch, but
behind the poor appearance can lie a troublesome health condition that causes many species of domestic ani- mals, including cats, discomfort if not properly treated.
Mange is typically caused by tiny, parasitic mites that feed upon the pet for nutrition, compromising the host’s health. Some burrow under the skin to lay eggs, which hatch and restart the mite’s life cycle; others stay on the skin’s surface and feed on pet dandruff.
Common Types of Mange
Various types of mange share common symptoms: In infected areas, hair loss, redness, itching, irritation and scabs typically occur; more seriously, a pet’s skin may harden to a scaly condition. If untreated, mange can transform a dog’s skin into an uncomfortable, leathery and brittle organ. Stay alert to such ap- pearances and act quickly.
Sarcoptic scabies mange results from microscopic, oval-shaped, light- colored mites that migrate easily be- tween hosts. Prime real estate includes a pet’s ears, elbows, thighs, face and underside of the chest. Symptoms in- clude severe itching and scratching that creates red bumps amidst crusty, thick skin, weight loss, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes. It takes about one week
46 Collier/Lee Counties
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tary issue. Under a microscope, de- modex mites appear cigar-shaped. Common symptoms include hair loss, balding, scabbing and sores. Dogs are more susceptible to both types than cats. Localized demodectic mange usually occurs in puppies when mites migrate from mother to pup during early nurturing. In puppies, the mange often appears on the face, creating a patchy, polka-dotted, balding appear- ance. Generally, pets will heal from this type of mange without treatment. Gen- eralized demodectic mange presents a greater challenge, because it is spread across large areas of the skin. The pet may emit a horrid odor from secondary bacterial skin infections.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If a pet shows symptoms of mange, con- sult a holistic veterinarian for proper di- agnosis and treatment. Once diagnosed, it is vital to implement a full treatment. For cases of sarcoptic mange, this entails replacing the pet’s bedding and collar,
after a pet has been exposed to them for symptoms to appear. Unlike demo- dectic mange, sarcoptic mange can be transmitted to humans, causing a red rash similar to an insect bite. Pets that suffer from demodectic mange typically already have a weak- ened or compromised immune system, sometimes because of immaturity (such as puppies), mal- nourishment, stress associated with another illness, or even a hered- i-
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