Itchy and Scratchy aren't just Simpsons cartoon characters; are the main symptoms of most types of mange. Symptoms of this condition are easy to spot and can include patchy hair loss, decreased eating habits, and lethargic or erratic behavior in pets; the diagnosis, however, is much more difficult. For proper treatment, the animal must receive immediate medical attention from a licensed and certified veterinarian. Once they have samples of mites, skin or hair, they will be able to compare them to one of the four main types of mange. Knowing the type is crucial to choosing the appropriate treatment methods, medications, and overall prognosis of your pet, so delaying medical treatment is extremely dangerous. The four different types are sarcoptic, demodectic or red mange, cheyletiellosis or walking dandruff, and otodectic mange, otherwise known as ear mites. The severity of the infestation will also be a quantifying point for diagnosis. Many types, such as Sarcoptic, can spread rapidly and infect the entire body of the animal, while other types, such as Demodectic, can only infect young animals. The contagious nature is also a key factor in the treatment and cure process. Some types, such as Cheyletiellosis, can also be transmitted to humans. However, like most skin diseases of non-human origin, reproduction of the mite in human skin is not possible; it's just a pretty itchy week. Below are the main types of mange, their conditions and identifying information: The Sarcoptes scabei mite causes sarcoptic mange. It is highly contagious and can be quite difficult to treat. The mites can be transmitted to humans, but they cannot reproduce on human skin and resolve quickly. Since mites have a... middle of paper... exactly Aryan recommendations; otherwise the infestation will assert itself again. Failure is the result of poor management skills, lack of follow-up and prescribed treatment methods. Once properly treated, the prognosis of an animal suffering from mange is excellent and the animal can recover within a few weeks to about six months in severe cases. If the development of the symptoms described here begins to occur, prompt medical attention should be sought for treatment. pet in question. Delaying medical care is simply not an option. Failure to treat and diagnose the disease can lead to serious complications, comorbid infections, and unusually poor outcomes. Most importantly, mange is a preventable condition. Through proper care, hygienic living conditions, proper diet and regular visits to the vet, your pet will continue to live a healthy, reliable and enjoyable life.