What are the two important microscopic mange mites which afflict dogs?
Sarcoptes scabiei canis is the cause of canine scabies, other wise called sarcoptic mange, a highly contagious disease spread between animals by direct contact. Demodex canis is the cause of Demodectic mange which occurs in some of the hair follicles of almost all dogs. It is believed that some animals develop an immunity to the mites which restricts their spread, but where this does not develop the mites proliferate causing inflammation and hair loss starting at an early age.
