Sarcoptic mange, or scabies, is the number one type of mange. Demodectic mange is second. Demodectic mange is also called demodicosis, which is hard to pronounce. In the vernacular, it’s called red mange, which is an apt description of the condition, as we’ll see in a moment.

What Causes Demodectic Mange?

Demodectic mange comes to animals, courtesy of the Demodex mite. Although mites of any kind are very unpleasant creatures, the Demodex mite is not that bad, as mites go. In fact, whether you like it or not, you probably have some of these critters hanging out in your eyebrows right now. They’re called Demodex brevis. Pluck as you may, you can’t get them out. Demodex mites are everywhere, and just as nearly every human being has Demodex pals existing on the eyebrows and eyelashes, so nearly every animal has them, too.

At this point, you may be a bit concerned. Concerned, not just because you have mites living on you, but concerned because this Demodex thing is living on man’s best friend. Does this mean that all dogs have demodectic mange? No.

Here’s the rub (or the itch)….

Who Gets Demodectic Mange

Only some dogs react adversely to the Demodex mite. Which means, that only some dogs get demodectic mange. Demodectic mange is technically an allergic reaction to the Demodex mite. Most dogs aren’t allergic to them. Some are.

Demodectic mange usually only occurs in very young pups or very old and weak dogs. A suppressed immune system may be responsible for the fact that both the young and the old/sick are most susceptible to demodectic mange.

What Does Demedectic Mange Look Like?

Demodectic mange, as the name “Red Mange” suggests, looks like scaly patches of red skin. Don’t look for a blazing fire-engine red color. Light pink is, perhaps, a better way to think about it. The skin begins producing a red rash, followed by scaly patches and sometimes painful lesions.