Symptoms & Testing for Mange in Your Dog: Recognizing the Different Types.

Symptoms & Testing for Mange: Understanding the Different Types and How to Recognize Them in Your Dog. Sarcoptic mange is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite and is highly contagious between dogs and can occasionally be transmitted to humans. Demodectic mange is caused by the Demodex mite, which is already naturally present in a dog's hair follicles. 2 - Sarcoptic mange is much more severe than demodectic mange, with intense itching and hair loss all over the body. Demodectic mange is usually localized to one or two patches and is not as itchy. 3 - There is also a third type of mange called cheyletiellosis, which is caused by the Cheyletiella mite. This type is also highly contagious and can occasionally be transmitted to humans. Symptoms include itching and flaky skin, but it is usually not as severe as sarcoptic mange. 4 - Recognizing the type of mange your dog has is important in order to properly treat it. Sarcoptic mange usually requires medication and thorough cleaning of the environment to prevent reinfection. Demodectic mange may require medication and possibly addressing underlying health issues, but it often clears up on its own. 5 - Diagnosis of the type of mange may require skin scrapings or other tests by a veterinarian. It is important to seek professional help to properly diagnose and treat mange in your dog.