Mange Mites

These are mites which live on or in the skin of pets, causing much irritation leading to self-harm from licking and scratching. All pets can have these. A skin-mite infection is called mange and there are several different types. Most are very treatable by injections or topical (skin) preparations. Few washes are used nowadays.

The worst type is deomdectic mange, where the mite lives deep in the hair follicles, where it is protected from many treatments. Dogs with this infection usually have a reduced immunity, which allows the infection to flare up in the first place. This frequently compromises the success to treatment. Younger dogs are often affected.