Demodectic Mange

• Demodectic mange is most common in puppies from 3 to 12 months old. It is caused by parasitic mites that are too tiny to be seen with the naked eye. When your dog first becomes infected with demodectic mange, she will begin to show symptoms around her eyes, mouth and legs. You will probably notice her hair starting to thin out in those areas. If your dog isn't treated promptly, the mange will quickly spread to the rest of her body.
  
  

Cheyletiella Mange

• Cheyletiella mange is caused by parasites that are reddish in color and can generally be seen with a magnifying glass. This type of mange is also known as walking dandruff. The affected areas usually include the head, back and neck. Cheyletiella mange is highly contagious, but its symptoms don't last long. It will cause the dog to experience mild itching.
  
  

Sarcoptic Mange

• Sarcoptic mange is caused by a microscopic mite. This type of mange is usually referred to as scabies. A dog with sarcoptic mange will suffer from intense itching, caused by female mites burrowing in the dog's skin to lay eggs. The situation worsens when those eggs hatch and the mites become adults, laying their own eggs and causing a massive infestation. The dog will suffer from oozing sores and the skin infections can take weeks or months to heal.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Mange is often diagnosed by skin scrapings performed by a veterinarian. The skin scrapings are examined with a microscope to check for mites. Sarcoptes are generally hard to find because dogs often remove them by chewing on their skin, so sarcoptic mange is most often diagnosed by the symptoms and not the presence of mites. Another way of diagnosing mange is by using the Pedal-Pinna reflex, where the veterinarian gently scratches and moves the dogs ear, watching to see if the dog moves one of his hind legs.
  
  

Treatment

• It is important to consult with your veterinarian so he can decide the right treatment for your dog. Different types of mange have different treatments. Your veterinarian will probably prescribe antibiotics or topical ointments to help get rid of the infestation. Anti-mange dip is the most common treatment, and it involves you bathing your dog in the dip to stop the infestation of mites. It is important to call your veterinarian as soon as you suspect mange, as it is highly treatable in the early stages. However, once it has spread to the rest of the body, the survival rate plummets.
  
  

Prevention

• Mange is extremely contagious, so its important to keep your dog away from other dogs that are exhibiting the symptoms of mange. Never let your dog roam around freely, always accompany her when taking her for a walk. Be sure to bathe your dog often, as clean dogs are much less likely to become infected with mange.