In general, the word scabies is used to describe all those contagious diseases caused by mites that feed on the skin and their scaling, producing an intense itch.
In dogs we can find several diseases that we call scabies, although some do not quite fit the general definition of the disease because it is not contagious. This is demodectic mange, which we will talk about at the end of this article.
Contagious scabies are common in young dogs, in dogs with problems in theirimmune system or skin pathologies, and in dogs that live in unhealthy conditions, crowded or without too many hygiene measures. The responsible mites reproduce quickly, invading specific areas of the dog's skin, causing it to be so itchy that it can cause injury.
Otodetic Scabies
It is scabies of the ears. Although it is more frequent in cats than in dogs, it is usually seen in young dogs from breeders, or from shops with poor hygiene. It is produced by mites that do not tolerate sunlight and lack of moisture, making the ear canal their ideal environment. Its presence in the ear produces a type of irritation that results in the production of wax, whose characteristic symptom is the presence of a dark colour.
The dog ends up suffering from otitis, shaking his head more than usual, and scratching himself by inserting his rear claws into the ear. It is, however, a scabies easy to diagnose and treat. The veterinarian, suspecting the presence of these mites when exploring the dog's ear, You can take wax samples to observe under a microscope and confirm their presence.
If the diagnosis is severe, in addition to cleaning your dog's ear canal, the vet will prescribe the use of specific drops, or even pipettes to eliminate the mites in a few days.
Sarcoptic Scabies
This is one of the most itchy scabs. There are dogs that even stop play or food in order to scratch. It is caused by a mite that multiplies rapidly by digging tunnels in the skin, which causes intense redness of the affected areas in the dog, and much itching. It is highly contagious, and can even affect people.
The diagnosis of this type of scabies is a little more complex, since when digging tunnels it is not easy to observe the mite directly. For this reason, the vet, after having explored the dog, is likely to perform a scraping of the affected skin to gain access to the tunnels, thus dragging the mites to study them later under the microscope.
If its presence is confirmed, the treatment consists of baths with acaricidal products, the administration of injectable or pipette medication, and a good control of the environment to eliminate eggs that may be in the bed, or in the areas where the dog usually is. It is very important that people who apply these treatments wear gloves to avoid contagion.
Cheyletielosis
It is produced by a reddish mite that causes intense itching and peeling of the skin. It can be easily spread between dogs and cats. Its diagnosis is simple because it is enough to observe the animal's skin with a magnifying lens, and see the reddish mites in motion on the peeling skin. Its treatment is simple, since most flea products are effective, and eliminate the mite quickly.
Demodetic Scabies
What differentiates this mange from the rest is that it is produced by a mite that is part of the normal skin of all dogs. It is transmitted from mothers to puppies after childbirth, especially when the mother breastfeeds them. Under normal conditions, this mite lives on the dog's skin but without causing problems. For this reason it is not considered a contagious disease.
Diagnosing this type of scabies also requires scraping the skin or plucking some hairs, because the mite lives in the internal structures of the hair follicle. However, it is usually easier to diagnose than sarcoptic mange.
If its presence is confirmed and it is not a general problem, it will be enough to apply some cream to the affected areas, and / or bathe the dog with a specific shampoo, and use acaricides to reduce itching and inflammation of the skin.
However, if it has become widespread or affects the paws, in addition to specific tests to try to find out what other problem the dog that has predisposed him to have this disease may have and treat it, the vet will recommend more specific measures and exhaustive monitoring.
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