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Canine mange, part 1: causes and diagnosis

02 December 2022
12 mins read
Volume 27 · Issue 12
Figure 8. Pedal alopecia and hyperpigmentation in a 7-year-old crossbreed dog with pododemodicosis, as part of generalised demodicosis.
Figure 8. Pedal alopecia and hyperpigmentation in a 7-year-old crossbreed dog with pododemodicosis, as part of generalised demodicosis.

Abstract

‘Mange’, defined as the parasitic infestation of the skin of humans and animals with mites, is an ancient disease, the name of which finds its origins in Middle English ‘manjewe’. Despite our long medical and veterinary relationship with mites, these microscopic creatures continue to be responsible for a lot of human and animal suffering globally, as they frequently evade detection and, until relatively recently, have been difficult, laborious and unpleasant to treat. This review of canine mange will be divided into two parts, with part 1 devoted to causes and diagnosis and part 2 looking at treatment and management.

There are five common causes of mange in domestic dogs and these can be subdivided into surface-dwelling mites (Otodectes cynotis, Cheyletiella spp. and Neotrombicula autumnalis) and subsurface mites (Demodex spp. and Sarcoptes scabiei var canis). The historical and clinical features of the diseases that each of these mites cause, plus the best methods for their detection and diagnosis, will be considered in turn.

Otodectes cynotis (known colloquially as the ‘ear mite’) is the cause of otoacariosis or otodectic mange. This mite belongs to the family Psoroptidae and is an obligate parasite that inhabits the vertical and horizontal ear canals of dogs and cats, although other species such as ferrets can become infested. It is non-burrowing and lives on the surface of the ear canal lining. Dogs infested with Otodectes most commonly develop bilateral otitis externa, characterised by vertical and horizontal canal erythema and a dark brown, ceruminous otic exudate.

In addition to otitis externa, ectopic infestations of the head, neck, tail head and, in rare cases, the trunk can occur when mites escape the ear canals. Juvenile animals appear to be most susceptible to otoacariosis, and it is thought that older animals may acquire immunity to the mite (Powell et al, 1980).

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