SCABIES MANGE RED MANGE ITCH 477 



folds. The dog gives off an offensive but characteristic odor, 

 and is repulsive in appearance. Emaciation increases, and, 

 if not treated, death occurs from cachexia and exhaustion. 

 In some cases the skin remains dry with profuse desquama- 

 tion of bran-like scales; it may be and often is mistaken for 

 a non-parasitic condition. 



Sarcoptes Mite of the Cat (Notcedres cati, var. cati; Sarcoptes 

 minor, var. cati). Scabies of the cat usually affects the head 

 and neck, only occasionally invading the legs. The acute stages 

 are less marked than in the dog, probably due in part to less 

 violent scratching. The process continues with slight pustular 

 eruption and the formation of crusts. Sometimes, especially 

 when irregularly treated, it continues for months as a very 

 mild condition with only slight thickening of the skin and 

 scanty crust formation. The crusts are most noticeable on 

 the edges of the ears and there is often a slight loss of hair 

 on top of the head. In more severe cases the skin becomes 

 thickened, hard and wrinkled. The eyelids become involved 

 resulting in an intense conjunctivitis. The thickening of the 

 skin around the nostril openings may be sufficient to interfere 

 with respiration. The animal gradually becomes emaciated, 

 exhausted and death occurs usually in four to six months. 

 Young animals die earlier. 



Sarcoptes Mite of the Rabbit (Xotoedres cati, vir. cuniculi; 

 Sarcoptes minor, var. cuniculi). In rabbits scabies attacks 

 chiefly the skin of the head, particularly around the eyes, 

 nose and at the base of the ears. It frequently extends to the 

 hind and sometimes to the forepaws. The lesion resembles 

 that seen in cats. Itching is intense inducing continual 

 scratching and rubbing; the fur falls out and thick, gray 

 scabs appear. As the process continues the eyes become 

 surrounded by masses of dry exudate. Conjunctivitis is also 

 present. By affecting the lips prehension of food is difficult. 

 Emaciation appears early, and, if untreated, the animals 

 invariably die in three to five months. The disease is highly 

 communicable and serious in young animals. 



Sarcoptes Mite of the Ferret (Sarcoptes scabiei, var. hydro- 

 chaeri). This disease in ferrets is usually confined to the 

 head and feet. The affected skin is usually found covered 



