Symptom Checker

Our Mange Symptom Checker will help you zero in on which of the following three parasitic mange mites is making your dog sick.

Demodectic Mite – also called Demodex, Red Mange, Demodicosis, Puppy Mange
Sarcoptic Mite – also called Black Mange, Canine Scabies
Cheyletiella Mite – also called Cheyletiellosis, Walking Dandruff

Some general symptoms may be present in all types of mange. Common overlapping symptoms include itching, dry skin, hair loss, redness, bumps, flakes, inflammation, thickened skin, crusts, and skin discoloration.

 

Read through all the Symptoms and Indicators for the 3 types of mange below.
If your dog has 3 or more “Red Flag” symptoms or indicators for one of the mange types, there’s a strong probability you’ve found the culprit.

Demodectic Symptoms and Indicators

  • Musty or yeasty odor
  • Yeast infection (current or prior)
  • Known immune system problems
  • Recent trauma (illness or surgery)
  • Blackheads or acne-like bumps
  • Family or prior history of Demodex
  • No evidence of contagion among other pets
  • Juvenile under 3 or senior over 8
  • Paw or ear problems
  • Secondary bacterial skin infection
  • Current or prior illness such as Cushing’s, thyroid, cancer, Parvo, etc.
  • Allergy treatments, or steroid treatment, didn’t work or last
  • Recent illness that required treatment with immuno-suppressive steroids, medications or antibiotics
  • Dog is a predisposed breed
  • Itching worse at night
  • Greasy coat
  • Lethargy, loss of appetite
Demodectic Mange
Demodex (also called demodectic mange) on dog's skin
Advanced case of Demodectic mange (also called demodex).

Click here to learn more about Demodectic Mange.

Sarcoptic Symptoms and Indicators

  • Nearby pets, animals, or people itch or exhibit similar symptoms
  • Visible small bite or track marks
  • Recent exposure to pets, animals, or people carrying Sarcoptic mites
  • Recent exposure to an environment where pets, animals, or people were carrying Sarcoptic mites have been
  • Pustules with yellow crusts
  • Positive response to the Pedal-Pinna test
    Here’s a video of one being performed
  • Allergy or other treatments didn’t work
  • Itching increases in warm conditions
Sarcoptic Mange
Sarcoptic mange (magnified) sometimes shows dark lines of mite burrows.
Dark areas (sometimes visible with magnifying glass) indicate where the mites are burrowing.

Cheyletiella Symptoms and Indicators

  • Nearby pets, animals, or people itch or exhibit similar symptoms 
  • Moving flakes or dandruff on the skin
  • Recent exposure to pets, animals (especially rabbits) or people carrying Cheyletiella mites
  • or Recent exposure to an environment where pets, animals, or people carrying Cheyletiella mites had been
  • Visible tiny yellowish mites on top of skin
  • Heavy scales or dandruff-like flecks, which may appear to move
  • Unkempt-looking coat
  • Multiple red, itchy bites/bumps
  • Sneezing (can indicate mites in the nose)
Close up of Cheyletiella mange (also called walking dandruff) in dog's coat
Cheyletiella Mange