Pit bulls are one of the most popular breeds of dogs out there, and for good reason. They are loyal, they are sturdy, and they strike fear in the hearts of people on sight—making them an excellent option for people who need a dog for protection. They are easily trained to follow the commands of their owners with the right dedication and training, and they are fairly resilient to the woes of illness and the dangers that other animals propose. There is, however, a problem that pit bull breeds do have with demodectic mange.
Everybody has heard at one point or another the term 'mangy dog' or 'mangy' cat. This description has to do with a pet not having the silkiest or plushest of coats. A mangy coat usually has bald spots or a rough, unclean look but what people fail to realize is that there is a cause for this. It has nothing to do with the dog or its character, but a parasite that lives in the skin of every pet that has grown out of control. This parasite is a demodectic mite.
Demodectic mites are found in the coats of every dog, just as there are mites and other microscopic organisms on the skin of people. Demodectic mange becomes a problem when these demodectic mites reproduce out of control, causing the dog to have itchy and irritated skin. When they scratch, they remove fur from their coats and cause the spotted, mangy look.
This is a very uncomfortable condition for dogs and it can cause them to lose most or all of their fur, turning a beautiful breed of dog into an eyesore. Pit bulls are especially prone to this condition, and it can start with just a few bald spots in the dog's coat. If you think your dog may suffer from this mangy condition, don't hesitate to stop in at your vet's office and have them do a skin scrape. With the help of a microscope and a few skin cells, they can easily diagnose and treat this uncomfortable condition.