Sarcoptic and demodectic mange cause severe skin disease in dogs ranging from intense pruritus to immune-mediated generalised infection, with effective treatments now available that dramatically improve welfare outcomes.
Sarcoptic mange causes intense, unrelenting pruritus that prevents normal sleep, causes severe self-trauma, and results in secondary bacterial infection. Affected dogs scratch constantly and may lose large areas of skin. Untreated sarcoptic mange progresses to severe generalised skin disease causing profound suffering. Modern treatments are highly effective and work rapidly, providing dramatic welfare improvement within weeks of initiation. Demodectic mange in its generalised form indicates immune system failure and causes extensive skin disease requiring prolonged treatment. Early treatment prevents the progression to severe welfare-compromising disease.