Can Fleas Cause Mange?
WouterIf your dog has fleas, you’ve likely wondered, “Can fleas cause mange?” This disease is contagious and it causes your dog to have a scaly, oily dandruff-like coat. It also causes crust buildup and oozing weeping sores on the skin. Symptoms can be debilitating, and your dog may lose weight or die. Luckily, there are treatment options and your veterinarian can prescribe them to you.
Symptoms of mange can include hair loss and extreme itchiness. If your pet has mange, visit your vet right away. They can take samples of the infected area to check for mites and provide treatment options. Depending on the severity of the condition, you may be treated with a prescription medication or a special shampoo. Your vet may also prescribe soothing medicine to help with the sores.
A veterinarian will examine your dog and perform a skin scraping to determine whether your pet has mange. The vet can determine the type of mites by looking for mite eggs and fecal matter. In about 10% to 50% of cases, vets can diagnose mange based on the results. They may also recommend further diagnostic tests to rule out other conditions.
Mange is a highly contagious condition caused by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. These mites can infest humans, cats, horses, and dogs. The mites cause inflammation, itching, and hair loss. Infections with mange are highly contagious and can be passed from dog to dog or from human to human.
