Demodectic Mange
The word Mange comes from the Middle French word mangene meaning itching. Demodectic mange is caused by Demodex Canis, a minute size, worm-like mite that affects puppies from three to 12 months old. The skin is reddened and scaly, and hair loss occurs in circular patches resembling ‘ringworm’. Demodex mites belong to the group of parasitic mites that live in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

Spread of Demodectic Mange
Demodectic Mange is generally a disease of young dogs that have a poorly developed immune systems. The mites are transferred directly from the mother to the puppies within the first week of life. The mother and puppy must be physically touching, as the parasite cannot survive off of the animal. The Demodex Canis lives, without causing any problems on practically all adult dogs, and humans! It is not spread like the Sarcoptic Mange, also known as Scabies. Older dogs who have a depressed immune system have also been known to acquire the disease.

The Life Cycle of Demodectic Mange mite - Demodex Canis
Understanding the life-cycle is important so that strategies for treatment and prevention can be designed and implemented. The life of the Demodex Canis mite is spent entirely on the body of the dog its life cycle is as follows:

• Eggs - Are white or cream and are laid on the host where they hatch into larvae

• Larvae - the larvae moves about on the skin surface and molts into the nymphal stage

• Adult - becomes an adult within 2 weeks of hatching

• Adults live between 20 - 35 days on the host

Symptoms of Demodectic Mange
Demodectic is caused by a parasitic mite and symptoms may include some of the following:

• Loss of Hair - localised mange - usually patches around the eyes, muzzle and head

• Loss of Hair - generalised mange - usually patches over all of the body

• Cracked skin oozing a clear fluid

• Red and Scaly Skin

• Listlessness

• Fever

• Loss of Appetite

Dogs susceptible to Demodectic Mange
Dogs most susceptible to infection are usually young puppies or older dogs with a depressed immune system.

Treatment
There is no really safe treatment for this type of mange as most dogs that have it have a poor immune system to start with and treatments can cause the immune system to decline, so it is best to look to better diet and supplements to get the dogs immune system into a good condition.