You may think that mange is not an illness that can affect your furry family friend. We have this preconceived image of a mangy looking creature, all skin and bone, half -starved with a patchy looking coat of fur. While dogs and cats that suffer with this condition do often exhibit the typical signs of the illness, it can be diagnosed, treated and prevented with proper animal care.

The first of these is demodectic, caused by a mite called Demodex canis. This mite, which is only visible with a microscope, appears even on healthy dogs. However, when it goes through a rapid growth in population, it can cause your pet to develop bald patches where the infestation explodes.

If your dog has a small mangy spot, it will likely disappear on its own. However, if your dog is covered in spots, it might need treatments in order to clear it up. Some people believe that some breeds of dogs are prone to this condition. Indeed, veterinary experts have noticed that certain breeds, such as Chihuahuas, Dobermans, Old English Sheepdogs, Afghan Hounds, Boston Terriers and Collies to name a few, are more likely to develop the demodectic variety.

If your dog has scaly looking dry flaky skin around its neck and or back, chances are it has "walking dandruff", the common name for Cheyletiella. This version of the condition is caused by a large red mite. Although it only causes minor itching, it is a major concern as it can spread very easily to other dogs.

Often found in kennels, the mite that causes this will live on the surface of the skin. Because it is easy to spot, it is possible to remove this mite from its host. Without the food of its host to sustain it, it dies quickly. If your dog comes home from the kennel with this condition, be certain to let them know so that they can spray their facilities and prevent illness for their other guests.

Sarcoptic mange, otherwise known as scabies, is caused by a tiny mite. With this mite, the female burrows under the skin in order to lay her eggs. In the process, she irritates the skin, which causes your pet to scratch and bite themselves. The worst part of this form is not necessarily the bites, but how they become infected from constant scratching and biting.

Both sarcoptic and cheyletiella varieties are contagious, and the sarcoptic is even contagious to humans. If your beloved dog has either of these, make certain that your other fur bearing pets receive treatment at the same time in order to reduce the chance of becoming infested again. Clean every pet's and human's bedding, vacuum the sofa and carpet and other favorite places where you pet likes to rest. See your veterinarian - they is the only one who can make the diagnosis for the kind of mange that your pet may have.

Tags: dog health stomach, dog breed health problems, dog renal disease, dog health, cushings disease and dog, dog cushing disease