Mange in dogs is caused by mite infestations that cause intense itching, hair loss, and skin damage, with sarcoptic mange being one of the most intensely uncomfortable conditions affecting companion and wild animals.
Sarcoptic mange causes some of the most intense itching of any skin condition affecting dogs. The allergic reaction to burrowing mites creates incessant, whole-body itching that allows dogs no rest. Affected animals scratch, bite, and rub relentlessly, causing self-trauma that creates crusting wounds and secondary infections. Many seriously affected dogs cannot sleep normally and become emaciated from energy expenditure on scratching and immune response. Wild animals with sarcoptic mange - foxes, wolves, coyotes - are particularly vulnerable as they cannot receive treatment, and severe infections are often fatal through a combination of exhaustion, thermoregulatory failure from hair loss, and secondary infections.