It is disheartening to watch your dog scratch incessantly and excoriate themselves, thus causing pain and harm to their own body. Such extreme behaviour is the result of skin disease called scabies in most cases. A common parasitic infestation in dogs, scabies is highly contagious, can affect the health of dogs and can be fatal for canines in case of severe infestation, if left untreated.

So, how do you know if your dog has been infested with scabies? What is the treatment for scabies in dogs? How to prevent scabies infestation in your dog? Read on to get answers to these and other important questions related to scabies in dogs:

What is scabies

Sarcoptic Mange, commonly known as Scabies or Canine Scabies, is a highly contagious skin disease caused by microscopic Sarcoptes mites and affecting the skin of dogs. The mite has a life cycle of not more than 21 days divided into 4 stages. Adult female mites burrow into the skin of the canine to make a tunnel and lay eggs there. The eggs hatch in 5 days and convert to larval stage. Larvae then move to the skin’s surface and start feeding on the skin to reach the nymph stage. Nymphs eventually mature into adults and the life cycle of the mite is completed in 3 weeks. While feeding, these mites cause unbearable itching to pooches which results in excessive scratching, licking, and chewing by dogs.

The infestation generally begins to appear on the chest, abdomen, ears, elbows, and legs spreading to the entire body of the canine if not treated in time.

How do dogs get infested by scabies

Scabies is a highly contagious disease and is commonly found in street dogs and foxes. Your furry companion can catch the infestation from infested animals during their outside exposure. If you have multiple dogs in the house, one infested canine can pass the infestation to the rest lot. Using bedding or grooming tools that are infested or coming into contact of infested surfaces can also lead to this infestation spreading to your doggo.

Symptoms of scabies in dogs

Dogs are communicative and have their ways of informing you that not everything is alright. If you find your furry buddy rubbing their body with surfaces or appearing restless, know that they have some health problem. Look for the following symptoms when you suspect that your dog is infested with scabies:

• Excessive scratching
• Inflamed skin
• Rashes or red skin
• Patches of hair loss
• Bleeding from the scratches
• Crusty sores on the skin
• Skin thickening or discolouration
• Foul body odour
• Loss of appetite and weakness

Diagnosis of scabies

Scabies can be misunderstood for skin dryness or allergies considering the common primary symptoms. Consult a veterinarian immediately and be clear about your suspicion of the disease. The vet may go for a skin scraping test at first. The vet may also suggest testing of skin and blood samples as secondary evidence to differentiate the skin diseases from bacterial or fungal infections. Once sure of the diagnosis, the veterinarian will suggest suitable treatment for your fur baby.

Treatment for scabies

Though merely a skin infestation, scabies can affect dogs badly. The immune-compromised and uncared-for dogs face the worst consequences. If the treatment is neglected for long, scabies can be fatal for dogs. It is therefore necessary to go ahead with a proper treatment the moment you discover scabies infestation in your beloved furry companion.

• Start with eliminating the fur of your pet. Then go for a thorough bath with medicated shampoo.
• Groom your furry pal completely and apply an anti-mite product.
• If your veterinarian has prescribed oral treatment, administer the dosage to your pooch as recommended.
• Do not stop the treatment unless advised by the veterinarian. It is necessary to complete the course to fight the secondary infestations.
• If you have multiple dogs in the house, treat all of them irrespective of the symptoms they show. It is required to stop the spread of this highly contagious disease.
• Clean the bedding, toys, food and water bowls of your doggo thoroughly to stop the spread of the infestation.

Prevention of scabies

Why not go for preventive measures to save your furry friend from such a painful situation? By taking the following simple steps, you can prevent the scabies from infesting your furry family member:

• Use the heartworm preventives and flea & tick treatments that also help control infestations from sarcoptic mange in your dog.
• Clean the bedding, toys, and other supplies of your dog regularly to maintain hygiene.
• Be vigilant of the symptoms and take the advice of your veterinarian immediately if you suspect scabies in your dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about scabies infestation in dogs? Here are answers to a few of them:

1. Can scabies in dogs spread to humans?
2. Yes, scabies in dogs can infect humans and can result in itching and redness of skin. However, these mites cannot complete their life cycle on a human host, and so the infestation is usually mild and fades easily.
3. Is there any home remedy for treating scabies in dogs?
4. Oatmeal has a soothing effect on the skin of dogs. An oatmeal bath can give relief to dogs from itching and irritation. Having said that, a medical intervention is mandatory for the treatment of scabies and consulting a veterinarian is a must to get rid of these nasty mites completely.
5. How long does a dog stay contagious with sarcoptic mange?
6. Once your dog has received proper treatment and their surroundings have been cleaned completely, they will still stay contagious for 36 hours. It is advisable to keep the other pets and yourself away from them during this duration to control the spread of the disease.

Concluding note

Scabies or sarcoptic mange is a common skin condition in dogs. It can lead to uncontrolled scratching, hair loss, and death of canines in severe conditions when left untreated. It is therefore necessary to be vigilant of the symptoms and provide proper treatment to your furry family member to save them from the trouble and to keep them healthy and safe.