Some types of mange are nearly impossible to pronounce. One of those is called “walking dermatitis,” a type of mange that can affect any domesticated. Walking dermatitis also goes by the names cheyletiellosis or cheyletiella dermatitis.

How Walking Dermatitis Happens
You may be wondering about the name “walking dermatitis.” The reason for the name is due to the behavior of the mites. When examined very closely, the cheyletiella mites pick up pieces of skin and walk away with them, literally. Walking dermatitis occurs most often in areas that have few (or no) flea problems. Interestingly enough, flea treatment kills cheyletiella mites. Thus, where there are few or no fleas, there is likely more walking dermatitis. Walking dermatitis can affect dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals.

What Walking Dermatitis Looks Like
Like other forms of mange, walking dermatitis causes an itch. The itch usually starts on the animal’s back. If you see the animal experiencing an itch-like discomfort on the back, take a look. Part the fur and look carefully. You may actually be able to see loose skin cells moving slightly, barely, almost imperceptibly. You are seeing walking dermatitis in motion—the mites carrying along little pieces of skin. Walking dermatitis can get pretty aggressive. If left untreated, it will spread to the entire body. The result is one uncomfortable pet, but it could be worse. The itching can be so severe that lesions break out over the animal’s body due to the excessive scratching. This could lead to even more complications such as infection.

How to Treat Walking Dermatitis
Although walking dermatitis is pretty nasty, it’s also pretty easy to get rid of. A good quality flea spray is just about all it takes for treatment of most cases. Be sure to treat the animal’s entire body, and it helps to spray areas where the cheyletiella mites may be hiding out. Walking dermatitis usually heals quickly, anywhere from three days to three weeks. Please be aware that walking dermatitis is very contagious. The eggs of cheyletiella mites can be transferred through the air from animal to animal.