Demodectic mange is caused by a microscopic mite called Demodex canis.

All dogs raised with their mothers will possess this mite, since mites are transferred from mother to pup via close contact during the first few days of life. In some dogs, however, the mites are able to proliferate, causing serious skin conditions.

There are two main types of demodectic mange: localized and generalized. Generalized mange can be juvenile-onset generalized mange or adult-onset generalized demodectic mange. Finally, there is another form of demodectic mange called pododermatitis that impacts the paws and toes.

Localized
Localized demodectic mange impacts dogs below a year in age. Symptoms include hair loss around the mouth, eyelids, and lips. Sometimes, your dog will appear itchy and the patches of skin where the hair loss has occurred will be red, inflamed or scaly. Localized demodectic mange usually resolves itself on its own without any intervention.

Generalized
With generalized demodectic mange, your dog will have patchy or bald skin over most of its body. The patchy or bald skin will often be scaly, inflamed and itchy. Demodectic juvenile-onset generalized mange can occur in dogs under one year, and adult-onset generalized demodectic mange occurs in dogs over one year of age. Your older dog should not get demodectic mange unless he has an underlying immune system problem.

Demodex mites are naturally occurring in many mammals, including both dogs and humans. Most healthy animals can resist the effects of the mites and suppress their growth.

Your vetrinarian will perform a skin scraping and view it under a microscope to look for the mites.

Your dog’s natural defenses may be enough to overcome a Demodex mite infestation. More severe cases can be treated with topical or oral parasite-destroying medication. Since skin infections often occur alongside severe cases of demodectic mange, your vet may also put your dog on a course of antibiotics.

As the development of this condition may have a genetic component, it is best not to breed dogs with demodectic mange. Likewise, you should not acquire a dog who has a family history of this condition.

No, you cannot contract demodectic mange from your dog.