🧒🐶 "My Child Caught It from Our Dog" – About Scabies Mites (Sarcoptic Mange)
"My child started scratching intensely at night... and it turns out, our dog had Sarcoptic Mange!"
Did you know that your beloved dog’s itchy skin could be a contagious disease that affects humans, too? Sarcoptic Mange (Scabies mites) is more common than you might think and can cause distress for the entire family if left untreated.
❓ What Is Sarcoptic Mange?
Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious skin disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, a microscopic mite that burrows into the dog’s skin, lays eggs, and multiplies rapidly.
Humans can also be affected, experiencing intense itching and rash. While the mites usually don't survive long on human skin, repeated exposure—especially in young children or immunocompromised people—can cause severe discomfort.
🐶 How to Know If Your Dog Has Mange – Key Symptoms
- Severe itching: Especially at night, dogs scratch or bite themselves excessively, sometimes losing sleep.
- Hair loss and skin changes: Starts around ears, eyes, elbows, legs, chest, or belly, progressing to full-body hair loss, redness, crusting, or thickening of the skin.
- Secondary infections: Scratching can cause wounds that get infected, producing pus or foul odors.
- Human symptoms: Family members, especially children, may also develop unexplained itching or skin rashes.
🧬 How Does It Spread?
- Direct contact with infected dogs: The most common route.
- Contaminated environment: Blankets, bedding, brushes, or clothing may harbor mites briefly.
- Shared public spaces: Dog parks, grooming salons, daycare, and clinics can be sources.
🧪 How Is Sarcoptic Mange Diagnosed?
- Skin scraping: A painless procedure where a vet collects skin samples to check for mites or eggs under a microscope.
- Clinical signs and treatment response: Even if mites aren’t found, the vet may diagnose based on symptoms and how the dog responds to treatment.
💊 How Is It Treated?
Treatment requires a veterinarian’s prescription and usually includes:
- Isooxazoline class medications: Oral tablets like Simparica (sarolaner), NexGard (afoxolaner), Bravecto (fluralaner).
- Topical treatments: Spot-on solutions like Revolution (selamectin) or Advantage Multi (moxidectin + imidacloprid).
- Injectables: Ivermectin, doramectin, or milbemycin oxime (must consult vet especially for certain breeds sensitive to ivermectin).
- Adjunct therapies: Medicated shampoos, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatories for secondary infections or inflammation.
🧼 Home Hygiene Tips – Especially for Families with Children
- Wash everything: Dog bedding, blankets, clothes—use hot water if possible.
- Limit contact: Reduce skin-to-skin interaction between the dog and children during treatment.
- Monitor family members: Check for unexplained itching or rashes, and consult a dermatologist if needed.
- Avoid public dog spaces: Until the dog is fully recovered, avoid dog parks, cafes, salons, or daycare.
✅ Prevention Is the Best Medicine!
- Monthly parasite prevention: Many heartworm medications also protect against mange. Ask your vet for a suitable option.
- Avoid stray or sick animals: Don’t let your dog come into contact with animals showing hair loss or skin problems.
- Post-walk checks: After walks, inspect your dog’s ears, legs, and belly for any skin changes.
- Clean shared spaces: Ensure grooming or boarding facilities maintain proper hygiene standards.
✔ Final Thoughts
Don’t ignore your dog’s itching. If it’s severe, especially at night, or if there’s hair loss in specific areas, consider sarcoptic mange as a possibility.
This condition can cause serious discomfort for your dog and may also affect your family. Prompt veterinary care and consistent treatment are key to recovery and keeping everyone safe.
Have questions about mange? Feel free to leave a comment below!
