Apr 04 2009
Demodectic Mange in Puppies
Demodectic mange, most commonly referred to as ‘demodex’, ‘red mange’ or ‘puppy mange’, is most often noticed by hair loss around the eyes, muzzle, and/or forelegs, and most often in pups 3-6 months of age.
Demodex are mites that are transferred to pups within the first week of life by their mothers. These mites can only live on the skin, and do not live in the environment. They sometimes cause a crusty lesion look to the skin, but not always, and in some, secondary infections can occur.
Demodectic mange live on practically every dog, without causing any harm or symptoms. It is the dogs with weakened immune systems, mostly puppies, who can have a problem. The mites themselves are not visible, but a simple skin scraping by your vet can verify whether these mites are living in the hair follicles of your pup.
Most dogs can fight this infestation themselves in small cases, though it takes time for their immune system to strengthen. In harsher cases and weak dogs, treatment is recommended. Medicated dips can be done by your vet, as well as oral and topical medication to help fight these off. A few dogs can become ill from the effects of the mites. If you notice this type of hair loss in your pup, it’s best to have it checked out to get started on treatments sooner than later.
Christine, LVT
