Puppy Mange: Demodectic Mange in Puppies and Dogs

Localized vs. Generalized Demodectic Mange

• Localized: usually in puppies under a year old, often under 6 months: one to five small, well-defined patches of hair loss with red, scaly skin, usually on the lips, around the eyes or on the front legs. It mostly affects young puppies, is rarely itchy, and most cases clear up on their own without treatment, though a few spread.^1,2,4
• Generalized (juvenile-onset): widespread hair loss and inflamed skin, often with infected paws (pododermatitis) and secondary skin infections that can make a dog quite ill. In young dogs it's linked to an inherited weakness in the immune response.^1,3
• Adult-onset: demodectic mange appearing for the first time in an adult dog, typically over 3 years old, is often a sign of another illness that weakens the immune system, such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, diabetes or cancer, or of immune-suppressing medicines, though sometimes no cause is found.^1,2,4

Show photo: Small dog with widespread hair loss over most of its body

Signs of Mange in Puppies

• Patches of thinning hair or bald spots, especially on the face, around the eyes and on the front legs^3,2
• Red, scaly or crusty skin²
• Little or no itching, unless a skin infection develops^3,1
• In generalized cases: hair loss over large areas, swollen or infected paws, odor and sores from secondary infection^1,3

An intensely itchy puppy is more likely to have sarcoptic mange, fleas or an allergy. See sarcoptic mange (scabies).^1,5

Diagnosis

Your vet will take deep skin scrapings, the standard test, and look for large numbers of mites, eggs and young mites under the microscope. Hair plucks are useful around the eyes and feet.^6,1,4 In adult dogs, your vet will also look for an underlying illness.^6,2

Treatment

• Localized mange often needs no specific treatment; your vet may simply recheck it.^1,4
• Generalized mange is usually treated with an isoxazoline chew, the same class of prescription medicine used for flea and tick control, as directed by your vet.^1,3,4 In small studies, mite counts fell by more than 99% within a month, and most dogs had no mites on scrapings within two to three months.^7,8,9
• No product is approved in the US specifically for demodectic mange, so all treatments are used off-label, guided by your vet. Amitraz dips, once the approved treatment, are no longer available in the US.¹
• Ivermectin and related drugs are sometimes used, but high doses can be dangerous for dogs with the MDR1 gene mutation, which is common in Collies, Australian Shepherds and other herding breeds. Your vet may test for it first. Never give horse or cattle ivermectin products yourself; overdoses can poison any dog.^1,4,10
• Antibiotics are needed for secondary skin infections. Steroids should be avoided because they can make demodectic mange worse.¹

How long it lasts: treatment continues until the skin looks normal and skin scrapings are negative on at least two monthly rechecks, and often for a few weeks more. Generalized cases can take several months, and relapses within the first year aren't unusual.^1,6,3 Tell your vet if your dog has had seizures, because isoxazolines can rarely cause tremors or seizures.¹¹

Should a Dog That Had Mange Be Bred?

The Merck Veterinary Manual, the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology and VCA advise not breeding dogs that had generalized demodectic mange as young dogs, because the tendency appears to be inherited. VCA also advises not breeding the parents again.^1,6,3 Spaying affected females may help prevent relapses triggered by heat cycles.⁴

Frequently Asked Questions

Is puppy mange contagious?

Demodectic mange isn't contagious to other dogs or to people. Puppies get the mites from their mother in the first days of life, and almost all dogs carry them. Sarcoptic mange, a different type, is contagious.

What are the early signs of mange in puppies?

Small patches of thinning hair or bald spots, often around the eyes, mouth or on the front legs, with red or scaly skin and little itching.

Will puppy mange go away on its own?

Localized demodectic mange often does. Widespread mange needs treatment, so have any hair loss checked by your vet.

What kills demodex mites in dogs?

Prescription isoxazoline chews, the same class used for flea and tick control, are highly effective in studies and widely used by vets, though they're used off-label for mange in the US.

Is demodectic mange caused by poor hygiene?

No. The mites are a normal part of a dog's skin. Mange develops when a dog's immune system can't keep them in check, often because of genetics, young age or another illness.

Why did my adult dog get demodectic mange?

Adult-onset demodectic mange is often a sign of another condition that weakens the immune system, such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, diabetes or cancer, or of immune-suppressing medicines. Your vet will look for a cause.