The idea of there being different scabies causes in dogs is somewhat inaccurate. Scabies is a relatively common condition which affects thousands of dogs each year. It is a skin condition that leads to red, irritated patches of itchy, flaky skin. It can also cause fur problems such as loss of fur as well. The reason that the idea of multiple scabies causes existing is inaccurate is that scabies is caused by one single parasite, the sarcoptes scabiei. Read on for some of the ways that your pet may contract these parasites and therefore develop scabies.
Scabies Overview
Scabies is caused by a particular type of mite that lives on the skin of your dog. This mite can also survive on the skin of cats and certain other animals as well, but it will not be able to survive on human skin too. There is a human variation of scabies that is very similar in terms of the overall symptoms and causes, but the mite that is responsible for human scabies is different from the one for canine and feline scabies. This also means that you'll not be able to contract scabies by contact with your pet.
Sarcoptes scabiei survives by living on your pet's skin and eating pieces of dead and living skin tissue. As a reaction to the presence of the mite, your pet's skin can become damaged and his fur may begin to fall out.
Contact Causes
The primary way that a dog tends to develop scabies is through contact with the mites directly. This can happen in any number of different ways. First, the mites may exist outside and in nature. If your pet is exploring out of doors and comes into physical contact with the mites, it's easy for them to jump or crawl onto his skin, where they'll quickly reproduce and spread throughout his body.
Scabies mites can also be passed indoors as well. They can live in carpet, and eggs can be left in carpeting as well. Thus, if your dog lies down on carpet that has the mites or the mite eggs, he may ultimately become infected by the scabies mites as well.
Finally, scabies are most commonly transmitted through physical contact. This is why it's important to be cautious if you have multiple pets and one of them develops scabies. Any sort of close physical contact between pets can give the scabies mites the opportunity to spread from one animal to another. Human beings can even be a vector for scabies mites as well, although the mites will not cause humans any damage.
If your pet develops scabies, take him to a vet right away for a quick examination and diagnosis. Fortunately, treating the condition is relatively easy through the use of certain medicated shampoos and oral drug treatments as well. Still, it's important that you work quickly so as to avoid causing your pet any unnecessary discomfort.