It appears in the form of a persistent, contagious skin disease characterized by frantic itching and caused by the mites burrowing in the skin especially of the head and face. Serum, the clear component of the blood, seeps out of the tunnels to the surface of the skin and causes thick scabs to form. Sarcoptic mange is contagious to both canines and people.

Dog Health Problems - Spread of Sarcoptic Mange also known as Scabies
The Spread of Sarcoptic Mange, also known as Scabies, can be carried from one animal to another and from animals to people. The legs are provided with claw-like hooks or suctorial cups to enable them to attach themselves to the host. The mite parasite feeds on the host but can live for up to 21 days without feeding. Mites can therefore be found anywhere in the environment and special attention must be paid to ensuring brushes, combs, collars, bedding, carpeting and all upholstered surfaces are sprayed with an insecticide.

The Life Cycle of the Sarcoptes scabiei mite
The life cycle of the Sarcoptes scabei mite is as follows:

• The adults move on the skin surface and mate in small pockets near the surface of the skin. The adults chew and feeds on live cells and tissue fluid. The male soon dies off after mating.
• The female then burrows into the skin depositing eggs in the tunnel behind her. She then dies.
• Eggs - Are white or cream and are laid on the host where they  they hatch into larvae within 3 to 10 days
• Larvae - the larvae moves about on the skin surface and molts into the nymphal stage they also feed on live cells and tissue fluid
• Adult - becomes an adult within 2 weeks of hatching
• Adults live up to 4 weeks on the skin of the host