Black mange or demodectic mange is different from common mange. In addition to being more aggressive and difficult to control, it is not contagious to other animals and humans. However, the dog that has the disease must receive all the necessary care that the scabies does not spread throughout the body.
What is black scabies?
Black scabies is caused by a mite called Demodex Canis, it is very common in animals, but in small amounts and not offensive to the dog's health. Scabies appears when the amount of this type of mite increases too much on the dog's skin or when the animal has a very weak immune system.
This disease is classified into two types, localized demodectic mange and generalized demodectic mange. At first, only a few points on the dog's body are affected by black mange, usually on the extremities. The other is more serious and the entire skin of the dog is affected by scabies, causing great discomfort for the animal, a lot of itching, the appearance of wounds and even secondary diseases.
Causes of black scabies
Black scabies is not a contagious disease, it is hereditary. Most of the time, it is passed to the dog when it is still a puppy during childbirth or during breastfeeding and for this reason, it is so common in dogs under one year old. The mite takes advantage of the fragility of the organism of newborn animals to multiply more and more.
However, adult dogs can also develop the disease if they have a weakened immune system. Some breeds have less resistance against Demodex Canis and therefore can get black mange more easily, they are Pinscher, Dalmatians, German Shepherd, English and French Bulldog, Shar Pei, Bull Terrier, Pit Bull and Pug.
Black scabies symptoms
- Hair loss around the eyes and muzzle
- Hair loss on the extremities of the body, such as the legs, paws, tail and ears
- Spots scattered over the body, due to the lack of hair
- Red, irritated, and flaky skin
- Itch
- Wounds (in more severe cases)
The symptoms of black mange can evolve in a few weeks, for this reason, at the slightest sign of the disease, it is necessary that the dog undergoes a consultation with a veterinarian. It is worth warning that when the dog has more than five spots due to the lack of hair, it is very likely that the disease is evolving into a more serious condition, such as generalized demodectic mange.
Black scabies treatment
The disease is identified through clinical examinations, where the animal's skin is observed and the diagnosis is confirmed if the presence of the mites that cause black scabies is detected. The indicated treatment varies according to the severity of the disease.
When black mange is in its initial phase, the orientation is to give the dog baths with specific lotions and oral medications. When it is evolving into a more serious condition, in addition to the use of lotions, it is necessary that the medications are administered directly into the bloodstream.
Black scabies has no cure , but treatments are extremely effective and able to control the disease. Therefore, the dog that develops demodectic mange once must receive all the necessary care so that the disease does not manifest itself again, for this, the food must be adequate, the baths only with lotions that moisturize the dog's skin and the vaccines given in day.