Symptoms of Canine Scabies

Sarcoptic mange, (scabies) is a highly contagious disease caused by a parasitic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, most commonly called scabies is a highly contagious skin parasite.  Scabies affects dogs of all ages and breeds.  It is a medical disorder caused by a mite, Sarcoptes scabiei.  In the early stages of scabies, mites burrow under the dog’s skin to lay eggs, causing episodes of intense itching.  Scabies can be passed from one dog to another when an infected dog comes in contact with a healthy dog.

A dog with scabies exhibits hair loss and thinning hair on areas of the skin that have been affected by mites.  Dogs infected with scabies have crusting sores and reddened skin, with the skin feeling warm to the touch.  In later stages of the disease the skin thickens and lymph nodes can swell, causing intense itching.