The Strange Sore Leg..

Dr Leanne Sackney's dog, Alu became suddenly lame on his right rear leg.

Dr Sackney suspected a ligament injury in his knee.

Alu was sedated and X-Rayed

The X-Rays showed a dense white structure behind the knee..

A alien object

Dr Sackney went in to surgery, operating on ALU.

To her surprise she found a tooth.

Alu is now back to normal and feeling better..He will be more closely watched for random tooth encounters.

September 21, 2005

WHAT IS AN AURAL HEMATOMA?

A hematoma is swelling created by a broken blood vessel after bleeding has occurred inside a tissue. Hematomas within the ear flaps (“aural hematomas”) occur when head shaking breaks a blood vessel within the ear flap. The ear flap may partially or completely swell with blood. The swelling may be so large that the opening of the ear canal is occluded. The extra weight of the ear flap may be uncomfortable and may lead to a permanent change in the carriage of the ears. This condition is more common in dogs but can occur in cats as well. The ear flap will feel fluctuant and fluid-filled, like a water balloon.

WHAT DO WE DO TO RELIEVE IT?

There are probably as many ways of correcting ear hematomas as there are veterinarians. The following are some commonly performed procedures:

ASPIRATION – This procedure involves simply using a syringe to remove the fluid contents of the hematoma. The problem is that a space is left behind when the fluid is removed and this space readily refills with more fluid. It is common for only temporary results to be obtained when the aspiration method is employed; usually this method is not a good choice.

PIE-CRUSTING SUTURES –

Here an incision is made in the ear flap surgically. The hematoma is drained of fluid and blood clots. To prevent the hematoma from refilling with fluid, multiple sutures are placed in the hematoma space either vertically or horizontally, either partly through or completely through the ear flap, with or without ear cartilage removal. Sometimes bandages are applied post-operatively, sometimes not. Sutures are generally left in place for 3 weeks to allow good scarring to take place so that refilling will not occur.

TEAT CANNULA PLACEMENT – A teat cannula is a small device used in the treatment of udder inflammation in cattle. It can be placed in the opening of the teat to allow drainage of milk or infected discharges. Teat cannulas can also be placed in a dog’s aural hematoma if the ear flap is large enough to accommodate the device. The hematoma is drained of fluids and allowed to heal over the next several weeks. This method is generally successful but does involve the dog tolerating a “gadget” inserted in its ear flap for several weeks.

WHAT IF THERE IS A CONCURRENT EAR INFECTION?

Usually there is a reason why a dog has been shaking his/her head: an ear infection. This means that the ear infection must be treated along with the hematoma. The ear will need cleaning, microscopic examination of the discharge, and medication. Sometimes ear shaking just happens and there is no underlying infection but one should be prepared for the expense and trouble of treating an ear infection along with that of the hematoma.

WHAT IF WE LEAVE IT ALONE?

If left alone, an ear hematoma may resolve by itself. The fluid will be re-absorbed back into the body and the ear flap will again be flat. The problem is that a lot of scarring is associated with this process and the ear is often not cosmetically appealing afterwards (a “cauliflower” ear). It can also take several months to resolve a large hematoma which may be uncomfortable for the pet. If the patient is a poor anesthetic risk it is certainly reasonable to forgo surgery.

May 15, 2005

The Paralyzed Dog

A young Cairn Terrier, Chester, came in to the clinic with a 5 days history of difficulty walking. On exam he showed evidence of a back problem.He had obvious neurologic signs, and he " knuckled"- or bent his paws over on his rear feet.This means that the nerves were not sending the right signals back to the brain.

We did pre-surgical bloodwork to test for any abnormailities and all was normal.

We sedated Chester with a sedative called Butorphonal and Acepromazine.

The X-rays showed the source of the problem:2 prolapsed discs.They can be seen here as areas of calcification of the dosc between L7-L6 and L5-L4.

The treatment for this condition is rest and anti-inflammatories.

Chester was given an injection of Dexamethasone, sent home with Meloxicam and scheduled for an appointment with the chiropractor.

April 1, 2005

Anterior Cruciate Injuries and Repair

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Ruptures of the cranial cruciate ligament are one of the most common orthopedic injuries in the dog. It is the major cause of arthritis of the stifle or knee joint. The strength of a dog's cranial cruciate ligament deteriorates with age. Large breed dogs develop these changes at an earlier age. Dogs with cruciate ligament rupture frequently are overweight. Obesity places additional stress on the ligament and can contribute to rupture.

Often the rupture occurs acutely during normal levels of activity. The dog may have been jumping off the couch or deck, or running in the yard. The injury occurs from twisting the knee during partial flexion or hyperextending the joint. The dog may vocalize and hold up the injured leg. In other cases the rupture may have a more chronic course without a single traumatic event. In these cases the dog may have a chronic, episodic lameness that worsens with vigorous exercise.

Anatomy

The cranial cruciate ligament originates on the lateral or outside aspect of the femur (thigh one), crosses the knee joint at an angle to attach to the front, inside aspect of the tibia (shin bone). The ligament prevents forward movement of the tibia, internal rotation and hyperextension of the knee. Rupture of the ligament results in instability of the knee. This results in pain, lameness and later arthritis. The instability or cranial drawer motion is used for diagnosis of the problem.

There is a medial and lateral meniscus in the knee joint. These are made of fibrocartilage, are crescent shaped and are situated between the femur and tibia. Damage to the medial meniscus is present in a significant number of dogs with cruciate ligament ruptures. The medial meniscus may be torn acutely at the time of the initial cruciate rupture or more often becomes damaged as a result of the chronic instability. An audible click may be heard during flexion and extension of the knee in dogs with meniscal damage. The surgeon will evaluate the meniscus at the time of surgery and if damaged, a partial or complete removal of the meniscus will be performed.

Clinical Signs and Diagnosis

The diagnosis of cruciate ligament rupture is based on history, physical examination, and possibly radiographic evaluation to rule out other problems. The diagnosis is confirmed during surgery. The history typically involves an acute onset of lameness after minor trauma. Generally the dog will initially not bear any weight on the leg and will begin to place some weight on the leg after two to three weeks. However, the dog will remain mild to moderately lame on the leg. The lameness may worsen with the development of a meniscal injury or secondary arthritis.

In acute cases physical examination will reveal increased fluid within the joint. In chronic cases, the knee will be very thickened with a firm swelling at the inside of the knee. During the physical examination cranial drawer motion will be present in cases of cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Such motion is the ability to move the tibia forward while holding the femur stable. In very large or tense dogs, sedation or even anesthesia may be necessary to produce cranial drawer motion.

Radiographs may be taken to eliminate other possible causes of lameness. Cruciate ligament ruptures are not visible radiographically. In chronic cases of cranial cruciate ligament rupture, arthritis will be present in the knee joint and can be demonstrated radiographically.

Medical Treatment

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament will produce progressive arthritis or degenerative joint disease due to instability in the knee joint. Close confinement for 4 to 8 weeks has been reported to yield satisfactory results in the majority of small dogs (less then 30 pounds). All these animals develop advanced arthritis. It is our recommendation that the best treatment for this injury is surgical stabilization of the joint. This is not considered an emergency surgery; however, it is advisable to have surgery performed within a few weeks of the injury. If surgery is postponed too long, arthritis will develop, chances of meniscal injury increase, and the benefit of surgery will be decreased.

Surgical Treatment

Numerous surgical procedures are available to restore stability and minimize arthritis. There are a few procedures that are used more commonly than others but it is generally the surgeons preference and experience which dictate the method used. Unfortunately, none of the procedures will return the knee to completely normal and some arthritis will develop with any procedure. The procedures are divided into two categories, intra-articular (or inside the joint) stabilization or extra-articular (outside the joint) stabilization. We most frequently perform extra-articular stabilization, which is by far the most common method of repair.

First, we open the joint to inspect the cruciate ligaments, menisci and cartilage. The torn ends of the cruciate are removed and the menisci may be removed if damaged.

The joint is then closed and the remainder of the surgery is performed under the skin and muscle, but outside the joint.

One technique involves placing heavy gauge suture material around the flabellae and through holes in the tibial tubercle.

The sutures are tied very tight to eliminate all instability.

A second technique is the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy ( TPLO). This procedure is more technically demanding and more expensive but is useful in the particularly large and very active dogs. This is a referral surgery, and I only advise using surgeons who have performed at least 30 of these surgeries.

Postoperative Care and Prognosis

We routinely apply a soft padded bandage to the leg to minimize swelling, protect the incision, and protect the repair for 10 to 14 days after surgery. The dogs are restricted to very short leash walks only with no free running, jumping or playing for at least 6 weeks after surgery. We will recheck your dog and remove the sutures and bandage 10 - 14 days after surgery. We then request a second recheck exam 6 weeks after surgery to monitor recovery. At that time we may suggest gradually increasing levels of activity over the next several weeks. Most dogs are returned to normal activity within 3 to 4 months of surgery. Although all dogs will develop some arthritis, the surgical results are generally very good. Owners may report an occasional lameness or stiffness in the leg, particularly after a large amount of activity, after lying down for extended periods or in very cold weather.

Complications are very few with these procedures. Infection occurs in 1 to 2% of the cases. We routinely administer antibiotics at the time of surgery. Rarely, the dog will be overly active the first few weeks after surgery and can breakdown the repair. Fortunately, that only occurs in 1 or 2 % of the cases. In 5 to 10% of the cases, the dog may have a reaction or infection associated with the heavy gauge suture material and it may need to be removed. Generally this occurs after the joint is stable and it can be removed without requiring any additional stabilization.There may be a small bump over the suture knot site and in all cases this resolves on its own in 2-3 months. Up to 25% of the dogs will go on to eventually rupture the cranial cruciate ligament in their opposite knee. Unfortunately, it is difficult to prevent this problem, other than keeping the dog's weight under control.

March 1, 2005

Bladder Stones

Stones in the urinary tract are common in dogs and cats. Even though dogs and cats do get kidney stones, it is bladder stones that causes more problems. The medical term for bladder stone is urolithiasis or cystic calculi. We will use stone, calculi, and urolith synonymously in this page.

Stones can also occur in the kidneys, where they are called nephroliths.

Cause

There are several factor, usually working in combination, that lead to urolith formation:

Mineral Crystals

Urine that is saturated with excess amount of certain minerals are prone to form bladder stones. These minerals commonly include magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, and ammonia. Most stones consist of an organic matrix of protein surrounded by crystalline minerals.

Diet can have a major impact here, and is one of the primary methods we use to treat and prevent uroliths.

Urine pH

pH is an indicator of acidity by measuring the hydrogen ion concentration. A pH of 7 is neutral. Below 7 is acidic, above 7 is alkaline. As a general rule, dog and cats tend to have an acidic urine normally. Some uroliths have a propensity to form in acidic urine while others tend to form in alkaline urine. Urine pH needs to be measure immediately upon voiding from the bladder for it to be accurate.

Bacteria

Some uroliths form due to the presence of bacteria in the urine, so control of these bacteria is important. Bacteria are diagnosed by culturing the urine or the inside of a stone after surgical removal. Normal urine is sterile, so any bacteria cultured from the urine is abnormal. When bacteria are cultured a pet has a urinary tract infection (UTI) and needs antibiotics. Common bacteria in UTI's include E. coli, Staph. spp., and Proteus.

If any bacteria are cultured in the urine our laboratory will test numerous antibiotics to determine which are the best ones to eliminate the bacteria. This is called sensitivity testing.

Predisposing causes of bladder stones include pets that are not drinking enough or are not allowed to urinate frequently. Bacteria and stone forming chemicals stagnate in the urinary bladder and increase the chance of a stone forming. Mechanical flushing of the bladder, in the form of normal and frequent urination, will prevent this. Always make sure your pet has access to fresh water, changed several times per day, and the ability to urinate frequently. As a matter of fact, if you feed dry food you should be giving more than one cup of water per cup of dry food. An easy way to get around this important requirement for water is not to feed dry food at all. Your pet's urine should be clear, with no odor or color, and should be often. Sometimes these common sense suggestions are so obvious that we tend to forget about their importance.

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Symptoms

Typical symptoms include:

Straining to urinate (stranguria)

Blood in the urine (hematuria)

Urinating small amounts frequently (pollakiuria)

There might also be excess urination (polyuria), pain in the rear quarters, reluctance to jump or play, or even lethargy and a poor appetite. Some pets can have bladder stones without any apparent symptoms at all!.

The bladder stones can pass out of the bladder and lodge in the urethra, especially in male dogs due to the smaller diameter of their urethra. In some cases they can block the flow of urine, which is a medical emergency. This will cause problems with the kidneys, leading to the buildup of toxic waste products. Common areas for these urethral obstructions are the ischial arch near the pelvis and further down the urethra at the os penis. Both of these areas have small diameter urethras that do not expand to allow passage of a stone. You will learn more about this later.

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Diagnosis

Urinalysis

A urinalysis is crucial in making a correct diagnosis. The pH of the urine, and the presence of bacteria or crystals all provide valuable information.

Abnormalities that can be found in the urine in a pet with a urolith include:

Blood

Increased white blood cells

Increased protein

Crystals

Bacteria

Low or high pH

The presence of crystals (crystalluria) is a sign that a urolith is possible, and usually warrants further investigation.

This is an example of a normal cat urinalysis. The pH is acidic, there are no white blood cells (WBC's), red blood cells (RBC's), crystals, or bacteria.

Radiology

In most dogs X-rays will show us the bladder stone.

In additional cases we may perform an ultrasound.

Struvite

This urolith is diagnosed in almost half the cases of bladder stones. It is also called MAP (Magnesium-Ammonium-Phosphate), or triple phosphate. It is the predominant stone type in female dogs of all breeds except Dalmatians.

Several factors predispose dogs to getting struvite uroliths:

Excess struvite crystals in the urine that set the stage for the formation of the urolith. Some breeds, notably Miniature Schnauzers, have a genetic predisposition to forming excess amounts of these crystals in the urine. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)- some bacteria produce a byproduct called urease. Urease will increase the pH of the urine and promote ammonium in the urine. The formation of an alkaline (pH greater that 7.0) urine from the diet or urease producing bacteria will cause the struvite crystals to precipitate out of solution and begin the formation of a urolith. Urine that stays in the bladder longer than usual gives the struvite crystals further opportunity to precipitate out of solution and form a urolith. Struvite uroliths come in many different shapes and sizes, are radiodense, and form in an alkaline urine. Miniature Schnauzers are the most commonly affected breed.

Medical Treatment

Struvite

Struvite bladder stones can literally be treated medically with a food called Hills S/D. The mechanism involves creating a urine that is undersaturated with the crystals that caused the struvite urolith to form in the first place. This undersaturation literally cause the urolith to dissolve in the urine, and then get urinated out.

S/D has several modifications in its ingredients to set up this undersaturated urine. Its reduced in protein, so there is less ammonia buildup in the bladder from bacteria. Magnesium and phosphorous are restricted also. With less contents of the minerals that form the struvite urolith (magnesium, ammonia, and phosphorous- MAP) the urolith starts dissolving.

S/D also has an increased amount of salt (sodium chloride). This promotes drinking and urination and literally helps flush the struvite crystals out of the bladder. It also changes the pH to a more acidic state, which further makes the struvite stone dissolve.

S/D must be the only food fed for it to work. We can monitor whether or not an owner is doing this by looking at the pH of the urine along with the specific gravity of the urine. Also, the BUN (blood urea nitrogen) of a pet on S/D should be lower than normal.

We have clues from other diagnostic tests to help decide if a urolith found in the urinary bladder on a radiograph is truly struvite. The urinalysis gives us an idea of the composition of the urolith by looking at the crystals in the sediment. The pH of the urine will be alkaline. Also, the presence of bacteria on a culture in a breed that is prone to struvite uroliths is also a strong indication.

If bacteria are found on a urine culture (rare in cats) then antibiotics must be used simultaneously while a pet is on S/D. It must be the correct antibiotic, so the importance of the urine culture is obvious. Both S/D and antibiotics are used for one month after the stone is no longer visible on a radiograph. If the urolith is still present after 2 months of S/D and antibiotics, then surgery should be performed. Most pets need to be fed S/D for 4-6 months for complete resolution.

S/D is restricted in protein, so it is not a complete diet for long term use in dogs. While on S/D your pet's blood should be monitored to ensure there are no side effects of the restricted protein. Feline S/D is not protein restricted, so it can be used for the rest of your cat's life.

SURGERY

In some case surgery is required. This is an example of a bladder stone removed in surgery.

This is the stone..

Prevention

Medical dissolution or surgical removal of the bladder stone is the first step in the process. The next, and just as important step, is the prevention of the stone's recurrence. Some of these stones will require a diet change only, while others might require long term medication. Some breeds are predisposed to forming stones in spite of what we do to prevent them. Our doctors will set up a specific protocol for your pet based on the breed and type of stone removed.

Long term follow up is important. Your pet will have to return periodically to recheck a urinalysis, culture the urine for bacteria, and x-ray the bladder. Many stones recur because owners forget the importance of long term prevention.

At all times make sure your pet has access to fresh water and the ability to go to the bathroom. This treatment alone will go a long way to prevent recurrence. Giving your pet food that has more moisture will increase the flow of water through the urinary system and minimize crystal formation in the bladder. As a general rule, we do not recommend adding salt (sodium chloride) to the food to get your pet to drink more water because it might promote calcium formation in the urine, thus setting the stage for a stone to form. Your doctor will let you know if this applies in your case.

Pets that have struvite urolithiasis, whether treated surgically or medically, have a chance of recurrence if not monitored carefully. If the urine is alkaline on a urinalysis it should be cultured to check for bacteria. Antibiotics are indicated if the culture is positive. If the pH stays alkaline in spite of antibiotic therapy, then Hills C/D should be used. It will help maintain an acidic urine, and has some mild restrictions in protein and minerals. As a general rule, we recommend C/D for all pets that have had struvite crystals. It can be used on a long term basis, and is helpful in preventing FLUTD in cats. S/D can also be used long term in cats.

The Friend You Don't Want

Lewis, the great wonder dog, who happens to be my dog, has had a few health problems in his short life.

Lewis, my dog!!!, suddenly had a small area of hair loss below his chin.

The differentials for this include: an injury, Localized skin infection, metabolic disorder( hypothyroid), or parasite.

He was not itchy, and was too young for most metabolic diseases.

I performed a skin scraping and too my surprise I discovered a mite..

Demodex!

Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites.

What causes demodectic mange?

Demodectic mange, sometimes just called "demodex" or “red mange”, is the most common form of mange in dogs. It is caused by the demodectic mange mite, a parasite which lives in the hair follicles of affected dogs. Under the microscope, this mite appears shaped like a cigar with eight legs. All dogs (and many humans) have a few of these mites on their skin. As long as the body's immune system is functioning properly, these mites cause no harm.

Demodectic mange most often occurs when a dog has an immature immune system, allowing the mites to grow rapidly. As a result, this disease occurs primarily in dogs less than 12-18 months of age. In most cases, as a dog matures, the immune system also matures. Adult dogs that have the disease usually have defective immune systems.

Does this mean that demodectic mange is not contagious?

Yes. Since the mite is found on virtually all dogs, exposure of a normal dog to one with demodectic mange is not dangerous.

Why doesn't the immune system mature correctly in some dogs?

Development of the immune system is under genetic or hereditary control. Thus, an affected dog usually comes from a litter containing other affected puppies. Owners of littermates should be alerted to watch for the development of mange in their puppies. Because the disease is due to a genetic defect, affected dogs should not be bred. Also, parents of the affected dog should not be bred again.

What does demodectic mange do to the dog?

Surprisingly, a dog with demodectic mange does not itch severely, even though it loses hair in patches. Areas of bare skin will be seen. The hair loss usually begins on the face, especially around the eyes. When there are only a few patches of hair loss, it is termed localized demodectic mange. If the disease spreads to many areas of the skin, it becomes generalized demodectic mange.

How is demodectic mange treated?

The localized form is usually treated with topical medication. The generalized form requires shampoo therapy and a special dip or oral medication. Shampooing with special cleansing shampoos helps to flush out the hair follicles prior to dipping. For dogs with generalized demodectic mange, secondary skin infections complicate the condition requiring antibiotic therapy. Dogs with skin infections often have very red, inflamed skin. This is the source of the term "red mange."

Lewis developed a second area of hair loss, so I decided to treat him for the generalized form of the disease. He was given a parasitic drug, Ivomec, once daily for 60 days!

Lewis has been on medication for 30 days, and is now showing signs of improvement.

I look forward to his immine system fully developing and this not recurring again!!

Dr Andrew J

Unhappy Anal Gland

December 1, 2004

The anal glands are a cause of concern for many small dogs. They are located directly under the skin adjacent to the anus at the 4- o'clock and 8- o'clock position.

The glands normally produce a foul smelling brownish material that gives a particular scent to the feces. Some dogs will release their glands when they are scared, ie at the vets office, producing a putrid smell.

In small breeds it is common for these glands to become blocked. The liquid in the gland turns hard and your dog is not able to express them on her own. In this case you will see your dog scooting, dragging her bum on the carpet, and acting very uncomfortable.

The solution is to have your veterinarian or groomer express the glands. In some rarer cases, the glands can become infected, as in the case of our next case study.

Trixie presented with an enlarged anal gland that was filled with pus. The gland had become infected and abscessed.

She required surgery.

In this picture Dianne, our animal health tech, is monitoring during anesthesia.

Surgery involved removing all the infected tissue, closing up the skin, and placing a drain tube to allow for any excess infected tissue to drain.

Trixie recovered well from surgery and after having the drain tube removed is showing no further anal galnd problems.

We are doing two things to keep this from re-occurring.

1. Regular anal gland expression ( every 3 months)

2. Adding additional fibre to her diet in the form of ground Flax at 1 teaspoon per cup of dog food.

I hope you are finding the case study informative.

May you and your family have a safe and merry holiday season.

Dr Andrew J

November 1 2004

The Itchy and Scratchy Dog

A very common reason we see pets is due to scratching. Most of us chalk up the scratching due to parasites or allergies, but there are several causes of scratching.

Maggie is a young Lab, with a 3 month history of scratching, especially at her ears and armpits.

Upon exam and history, it was revealed that she spent 7 days in a dog kennel around the beginning of the itchiness.

The owner had tried numerous things, including Oatmeal shampoo, a hypoallergenic food for 4 weeks, the addition of Fatty acids, yet nothing seemed to work.

Our first step was to develop a list of disease possibilities.

- Atopy ( reaction to environmental allergens )

- Food Allergy

- Fleas

- Lice

- Staph Pyoderma ( skin infection)

- Hypothyroid with secondary skin infection

- Mange

Next was the Diagnostic Plan..

The easiest and least expensive is a skin scrape and examination of the slide in the clinic.

The results...

Sarcoptic Mange Mite.

This is an unusual diagnosis, but reinforces the need to perform a skin scrape on EVERY ITCHING DOG OR CAT!

Sarcoptic mange is the name for the skin disease caused by infection with the Sarcoptes scabei mite. Mites are not insects; instead they are more closely related to spiders. They are microscopic and cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Adult Sarcoptes scabei mites live 3-4 weeks in the host’s skin. After mating, the female burrows into the skin depositing 3-4 eggs in the tunnel behind her. The eggs hatch in 3-10 days producing a larva which, in turn, moves about on the skin surface eventually molting into a "nymphal" stage and finally into an adult. The adults move on the surface of the skin where they mate and the cycle begins again with the female burrowing and laying eggs.

Female sarcoptes mite burrowing in the skin and leaving a trail of eggs behind her. Her presence generates an inflamatory response in the skin similar to an allergic response.

TREATMENT

While sarcoptic mange is difficult to diagnose definitively, it is fairly easy to treat and a number of choices are available.

SELAMECTIN (REVOLUTION®) - Selamectin is an ivermectin derivative recently marketed for the control of fleas, roundworms, hookworms, ticks, ear mites and sarcoptic mange mites. Normal monthly use of this product should clear a sarcoptic mange problem and prevent further infections. This product is probably the best choice for collie or Australian shepherd breeds.

Click here for more information from the manufacturer on Revolution.

ALL DOGS IN A HOUSEHOLD WHERESARCOPTIC MANGE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSEDSHOULD BE TREATED.

Obviously, this makes the "maybe mange" test somewhat problematic if there are multiple dogs in the house. Cats should be treated as well if they are in contact with infected dogs.

HOW THE INFECTION IS SPREAD

Sarcoptic mange mites are usually spread by direct contact from host to host. While mites can live off of a host for days to weeks depending on their life stage, they are only infective for 36 hours which means that environmental decontamination is generally not necessary.

Mite infections on humans are self-limiting (ie they go away on their own) as the mite is not able to complete its life cycle on the "wrong" host. The condition is extremely itchy, though, while it lasts. The mites are most active where skin is warm (in bed and where clothing is snug).

IF A SARCOPTIC MANGE ANIMAL IS PRESENT IN THE HOME,IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO WASH ANY BEDDING INTHE WASHING MACHINE (OR REPLACE WITH NEW BEDDING),AND WASH ANY COLLARS OR HARNESSES.

Dr Andrew Jones