Mange is the worst skin disease that your dog can contract. It's a type
of skin disorder that's highly contagious to both you and any other pets
you have. The cause of mange is parasites that reside on your dog's
skin.
營t causes hair loss, wounds, scabs and blisters to appear on your
dog. Needless to say, these symptoms are not only unsightly but
miserable for your dog.
There are 3 types of mange that your dog
can develop. These are Demodectic Mange, Sarcoptic Mange and
Cheyletiella Mange. They are quite similar to each other but have
different effects on your pet.
Demodectic Mange is considered to
be the mildest form. Some dogs have recovered from this type without
any medical help. The problem is that it's nearly impossible to tell the
difference between Demodectic Mange and Sarcoptic Mange, which is a lot
worse. In fact, if Sarcoptic Mange isn't treated, it can spread over
the entire surface of your dog's skin. In the beginning stages, symptoms
of Sarcoptic Mange only appear in certain areas such as the ears, foot,
or mouth. If not treated, it will quickly spread all over your dog's
body.
When you first notice any signs that your dog has mange,
you should see your vet immediately. They can be treated with dips,
antibiotics and changes to the diet to ensure that your dog is healed
quickly. Don't try to treat your dog's mange by yourself. The dog needs
to be examined by a vet to determine the type of mange affecting it.
That's how the treatment is decided as there is a different treatment
for each mange type.
The most noticeable type of mange is
Cheyletiella. It's also called walking dandruff. These parasites burrow
into the dog's skin to feed and then reproduce. This causes severe
damage to the dog's skin. It only takes one parasite to give your dog
mange because it will spread in as little as a week.
However,
dogs with a normal and strong immune system will produce antibodies that
will fight off the parasites. Dogs with poor hygiene are also more
prone to contracting mange than other pets. So, keep your dogs clean and
eating right to keep them mange-free.
Summary
Mange is
one of the most miserable skin diseases that can afflict your dog so
it's better to take preventive measures to protect your pet.