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Piel y pelo

Sarcoptic mange

A highly contagious skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows tunnels into the skin. It produces extremely intense itching. It is a zoonosis: it can be transmitted to people.

Moderate🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐰 Rabbits Contagious Zoonosis

Symptoms to watch for

  • • Extremely intense itching, worse at night
  • • Crusting and scaling (elbows, ears, abdomen)
  • • Patchy hair loss
  • • Wounds from scratching
  • • Thickening of the skin in advanced cases

Causes

Direct transmission between animals or through contact with foxes (a common reservoir). The mite survives only briefly off the host, but transmission is easy.

Diagnosis

Skin scraping examined under the microscope (can give a false negative · the mite is hard to find). Sometimes it is diagnosed by the response to treatment.

Treatment

Specific antiparasitics (selamectin, moxidectin, isoxazolines) that kill the mite. Environmental treatment and treatment of all animals in contact. Visible improvement within 2-4 weeks.

Prevention

Regular external antiparasitic, avoid contact with wild animals. If there is a case in the home, treat all animals living there.

When should you see the vet?

See your vet as soon as possible if there is sudden, intense itching with crusting. It is highly contagious and worsens quickly. Mention that you suspect mange because of the risk of transmission to humans.

Consult a vet

WetAi guides you and takes you to the vet; it does not diagnose.

Notice: this information is for general guidance and educational purposes only. It does NOT replace diagnosis or treatment by a registered veterinary surgeon. If you notice any symptoms, always consult a professional. Wallapets accepts no responsibility for the use of this information without veterinary supervision.

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