Events

Bella, one of four bloodhound puppies recently adopted from PRO, is fighting a long and difficult battle with generalized demodectic mange. The good news is that she is expected to fully recover by the time she is 18 months to 3 years old, provided she receives effective treatment. Treatment for generalized demodectic mange takes months and is very expensive. Bella is 8 months old and has received over $800 in care thus far. In addition to the demodectic mange, Bella also has a severe yeast infection in her skin. Our vet described her condition as “every follicle in the affected areas infected, in essence a pimple, and filled with pus made of yeast.” Our local vet has recommended that Bella see a veterinary dermatologist due to the severity of her condition. As a small rescue, we are struggling to pay for this necessary, but expensive, treatment as well as the ongoing care she will require over the next several months. Please consider making a financial contribution to help us provide Bella with the treatment necessary for her well-being. All donations to PRO are tax-deductible.

What Is Mange?

Mange is a skin disease caused by several species of tiny mites, common external parasites found in companion canines. Some mange mites are normal residents of your dog’s skin and hair follicles, while others are not. All mites can cause mild to severe skin infections if they proliferate. What Causes Mange in Dogs? All dogs raised normally by their mothers possess demodectic mange mites (Demodex canis), which are transferred from mother to pup via cuddling during the first few days of life. Most dogs live in harmony with their mites, never suffering any consequences. Generalized demodectic mange, in contrast, affects larger areas of skin or a dog’s entire body. Secondary bacterial infections make this a very itchy and often smelly skin disease. This form of mange could also be a sign of a compromised immune system, hereditary problem, endocrine problem or other underlying health issue. Treatment depends on the age at which the dog developed the disease. Is Demodectic Mange Contagious?

Current thinking is that Demodex mites can be transferred from one dog to another—but as long as the dog is healthy, the mites simply add to the dog's natural mite population and no skin disease results. Isolation of dogs with even the most severe cases is still felt to be unnecessary—though in rare circumstances, contagion is possible. While there are still different theories about dog-to-dog transmission of Demodex mites, it is accepted that mites cannot be transmitted to humans or to cats.

Source: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-mange.html