Collie Eye Anomaly, also known as CEA, is an inherited disease causing defects in the formation of the eye. CEA has now been determined to be a genetic disorder.

Several forms of the disease are recognized, but the most common is a lesion on the back of the eye called choroidal hypoplasia (CH). All dogs affected by CEA have choroidal hypoplasia, by definition. CEA is not a progressive disease like prcd-PRA and most affected dogs may only have mildly impaired vision. More severely affected dogs may have pits (colobomas) affecting the retina and nearby tissues and in the most severely affected eyes, retinal hemorrhaging and detachments can occur, resulting in blindness.

Varying degrees of CEA and definitions are listed below:

• Choroidal Hypoplasia, Chorioretinal Change, Choroidal Dysplasia: These refer to abnormalities in the coloring or pigmentation of the choroid or central layer of the eye's lining. This is the most common abnormality found in CEA and all dogs with CEA have CH. However it is the least harmful and mildest form of CEA. Most dogs with this form function normally with no ill-effects or loss of vision.

• Coloboma, Ectasia, Staphyloma: While not completely synonymous, these terms all refer to a cupping or bulging in the eyeball usually in the area of the optic nerve. Colobomas are the most common more serious complication of CEA. Colobomas can be described as a pit in the eye or a blister at the back of the eye that you can see with an ophthalmoscope. Colobomas vary and can be small or large and occur in approximately 25% of dogs with CEA.

Interestingly, you cannot have CEA without CH and won’t have coloboma without CH.

A third set of complications which occur exclusively in dogs with coloboma include retinal detachment or hemorrhaging in the eye. About 5-10% of dogs with CEA have these severe complications, which can lead to blindness. These percentages are based on experience with the Collie Breeds.

Vascular Disease, Tortuous Blood Vessels: These terms describe defects in the vessels of the eye, which are responsible for its blood supply or "nourishment." These may be malformed, undersized, or even lacking.

• Retinal Detachment: Loosening or separation of the innermost, or retina, layer from the wall of the eye. This may involve a tiny area or the entire retina. It can be either one or both eyes. The complete detachment of the retina results in blindness in that eye.

• There is usually no significant visual deficit with CH or coloboma, but may lead to a blind spot in the eye. These conditions usually do not affect the working ability of a dog.

Fortunately, there is now a DNA test which will confirm whether or not a dog is clear, a carrier or affected. A dog who is a carrier will NEVER develope the disease but if bred to another carrier or affected dog there will be pups who are affected. 

UPDATE NOV 2011: The current testing process for TNS is under review. All breeders are advised to read this important letter from Prof Bill Ballard - click here!

TNS stands for Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome. It is an immune deficiency in Border collies. It is an inherited disorder that is very common in all populations of Border collies with more than 10% of both working and show dogs carrying the defective gene and capable of having affected puppies.

• TNS is a condition where the bone marrow produces neutrophils but they are not released into the bloodstream. This results in an impaired immune system that cannot fight infections.

• Symptoms are variable, many of the reported TNS puppies have been born looking normal but others have been born small.

• Some puppies with TNS have been small and fine boned with narrow heads at some point but this may not be evident until approx 16 weeks.

• A common first sign is a bad reaction to vaccinations with signs of fever.

• Blood tests may show an abnormally low segmented neutrophil level but TNS can only be definitely diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy.

• Any puppy that shows any signs of infection or failure to thrive is a possible case of TNS.

• There is no cure for TNS and it appears to always be fatal eventually. Antibiotic and steroid treatment can help affected dogs live a relatively active life.

• TNS is an autosomal recessive condition.

• The symptoms are extremely variable and will depend on the bacteria that the pup encounters. There may also be other genes that effect the disease expression.

• Some dogs do not show symptoms until later in life. Older puppies & young adult dogs diagnosed with immune system problems may have TNS so they should also be tested with the DNA test

• There is no evidence that carriers of the TNS defect have increased immune problems.

DNA Testing

In early 2007, Jeremy Shearman in Dr Wilton’s lab, identified the genetic defect that causes TNS and developed a simple DNA test to identify carriers. The test amplifies DNA extracted from blood or mouth (buccal) swabs using the Polymerase Chain Reaction. The CL test in Border collies developed in Dr Wilton’s lab and CEA test from Optigen work in a similar way. Application of the TNS test has shown that TNS is widespread through the Border collie breed (Table 1). Proportions of TNS carriers from testing are an overestimate of the population frequency because dogs related to carriers are preferentially tested. It is estimated that 10% to 15% of Border collies worldwide are TNS carriers. In a randomly selected sample of Borders tested from Norway 14% carried the TNS mutation. Testing has confirmed the TNS mutation in UK, US, Japan, Europe and Scandinavia as well as Australia and New Zealand (Table 1).

Breeders can now test for TNS before breeding to avoid mating two carriers and risk producing affected puppies. Puppies from matings between a carrier and a TNS clear will produce (on average) half carrier pups and half clear. Puppies can be tested at a few weeks of age from a blood spot on an FTA card or a buccal swab sample (Table 2).

Blood samples in EDTA are the preferred sample for testing. They can be sent with request forms from within Australia and no collection kit is necessary. Collection kits for sampling from pups, or dogs that cannot go to a vet, can be obtained by providing your postal address. While buccal samples are easier to take than blood from pups, they are not as reliable for testing. The sample brush (swab) must pick up enough cells from the lining of the cheek to work and there are often problems. Blood on FTA cards can also have problems if the card is flooded with blood and overloaded. Blood should be applied sparingly to FTA cards so that the salts on the card can preserve the DNA.

Request forms for TNS testing (available from Border Collie Health and other websites) ask for supporting evidence to confirm that the sample supplied is from the dog listed on the form. This is usually done by a vet or club official reading a microchip or a tattoo. Testing can be done without this (for example for puppies) but the results may not be accepted by other people.

About 4000 Border Collies have been tested so far. The high incidence of carriers (>10%) in all lines suggests that the causative mutation goes right back to the beginning of the breed and may even be found in other collie breeds like CEA is. For this reason, it is recommended that all lineages be tested. Once the parents have been tested clear for TNS it is not necessary to test the pups, they can only inherit the genetic defect from a carrier parent. Both parents of any affected dog must be carriers. Many lines that have shown no sign of the disease may still have carriers, and this includes ISDS lines and Australian working dog lines.

Up until his untimely death in 2011, Dr Wilton’s lab where the research was done was the only lab that provided TNS testing. Dr Wilton's lab cannot give Clear by Parentage Certificates for DNA tests because we are not the holders of the registered parentage information. In many overseas countries, the breed clubs that register the dogs maintain a database of test results, include the information on registration certificates and provide Clear by Parentage certificates for puppies of registered litters where the parents have been tested. We could prove paternity with DNA testing using the International Society of Animal Genetics Paternity Testing markers but this would cost as much as testing the pups directly for disease.

Dr Wilton's lab also developed the CL test. Most of the carriers identified in his research on samples submitted for TNS testing were known as CL carriers but occasional CL cases are still appearing from backyard breeders (Table 2). It is hoped that DNA testing will also enable breeders to reduce carrier rate for TNS. However, numbers of samples being tested are dropping off with 1930 tested in 2007 but only 700 so far in 2008.

Dr Wilton was working earlier in 2011 on research focussing on Cerebellar Abiotrophy, which causes ataxia and has been a rare problem with several recent cases in Borders collies. It is likely to be due to a different gene mutation than the one identified in Australian Kelpies where it is a common problem. DNA testing for inherited diseases in dogs is an effective way to improve the breed by managing the breeding population and slowly removing the carriers for inherited diseases without reducing the gene pool or destroying lines that carry desired traits.

This information was provided Alan Wilton from the School of Biotechnology, University of NSW.

It is with much sorrow that colleagues and friends at UNSW and the Border Collie community record the death of Associate Professor Alan Wilton of the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences. Professor Wilton passed away on 14th October 2011, after a 20-month battle with cancer at the age of 58.

Alan was instrumental in discovering the DNA test that allows Border Collie breeders to test their breeding stock which now means we can with confidence, breed our beloved Borders without the fear of pups having CL or TNS. The peace of mind that Alan Wilton gave us can never be repaid, and now to have this great man no longer with us is one of life’s great tragedies. Alan’s legacy will be to us, our Border Collies and the future generations of healthy and unaffected dogs that will follow, all because he cared and wanted to help us.

Epilepsy

Canine epilepsy is a widespread problem in Border Collies. Both primary (potentially genetic) and secondary (trauma, disease, drugs, etc) epilepsy manifestations are seen. While the extent of epilepsy in dogs is estimated to be as high as 5.7% the prevalence in Border Collies is not yet documented. However, we have reason to believe there is great cause for concern. In 2004, BCSA invited canine epilepsy researcher Dr. Ned Patterson, DVM, from the University of Minnesota, to speak at our national specialty. He reported that in a survey of all teaching hospitals in the country for dogs admitted primarily for epilepsy, Border Collies are Number 1, with a statistically much higher incidence than average. He also feels that in his own practice, our breed is one of the most difficult to treat for epilepsy. So, although these studies were small and informal, they still indicate that we likely have great cause for concern and need to take action.

Addison's

Addison's disease is also known as hypoadrenocorticism. It is an insufficient production of adrenal hormones by the adrenal gland. Since these hormones are essential for life, this is an extremely serious disease and it must be treated as such.

Adrenal insufficiency can be primary or secondary. Primary adrenocorticism affects salt/potassium balance in the body and glucorticoid as well. Secondary adrenocorticism usually only affects the glucocorticoids. It is not known why primary adrenocorticism occurs but it may be an immune mediated process. Secondary adrenocorticism probably occurs most often when prednisone or other cortisone being administered for medical reasons are suddenly withdrawn. It can occur as a result of pituitary cancer or some other process that interferes with production of hormones that stimulate the adrenal glands.

Most dogs with Addison's disease initially have gastrointestinal disturbances like vomiting. Lethargy is also a common early sign. Poor appetite can occur as well. These are pretty vague signs and it is extremely easy to miss this disease. More severe signs occur when a dog with hypoadrenocorticism is stressed or when potassium levels get high enough to interfere with heart function. Dogs with this problem will sometimes suffer severe shock symptoms when stressed, which can lead to a rapid death. When potassium levels get high heart arrythmias occur or even heart stoppage which also is fatal. In some cases, especially secondary Addison's disease, there are no detectable electrolyte changes.

This disease can be picked up by changes in the ratio between sodium or potassium by accident at times. When this happens it is still extremely important to treat for it. It is confirmed by an ACTH response test -- administration of this hormone should stimulate production of adrenal hormones. If this does not occur then hypoadrenocorticism is present. In cases in which the electrolyte levels are normal this is the only test for the problem and it will be missed unless it is looked for specifically. At times this disease can be hard to differentiate from renal failure because the symptoms and even the blood work can be similar, so the ACTH response test may be necessary to differentiate them.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism (malfunctioning thyroid) is caused by an inadequate production of the thyroid hormone. Symptoms include; skin conditions, obesity, excessive hunger, irregular heat cycles, excessive coarse coat texture, inability to stay warm, and lethargy. Treatment of hypothyroidism is the use of an inexpensive drug given daily.

Testing for thyroid malfunction is obtained by taking a blood sample. Females should be tested after sexual maturity and the blood tested between heat cycles.

Most laboratories can do T-3 and T-4 screening. Complete thyroid testing includes: TT4, TT3, FT4, FT3, T4AA, T3AA, TGAA and cTSH, OFA Thyroid Registry Panel, FT4D, cTSH and TgAA.

Canine Glaucoma Basics

Elizabeth A. Giuliano, DVM, MS
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
Assistant Professor, University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine

Glaucoma is defined as an increase in pressure within the eye. The increased pressure is the result of a buildup of the intraocular fluid which is known as aqueous humor. In a healthy animal, aqueous humor primarily drains out through a circular filter at the junction of the clear cornea and white sclera, called the iridocorneal angle. Animals with glaucoma have an abnormality in the filter which obstructs outflow, resulting in a buildup of fluid within the eye. An analogy would be a kitchen sink - if the drain is open and the water is running, the sink is operating normally. However, the drain becomes clogged for some reason and the water continues to flow, then the sink fills up with water and overflows!

There are various causes of a defective filter. Dogs of some breeds are often born with abnormal filters and are therefore prone to getting inherited (genetic or primary) glaucoma in both eyes. Other breeds have a genetic predisposition to developing displaced (luxated) lenses, which block the filters, obstructing the flow of fluid. In both dogs and cats, the filters can be clogged with inflammatory cells if inflammation inside the eye (uveitis) occurs. Intraocular tumors can also lead to glaucoma.

The result of uncontrolled glaucoma is blindness. The increased pressure which occurs in glaucoma quickly destroys the retina and optic nerve, which are essential for vision. If the pressure is not relieved the eye may stretch and enlarge. In order to maintain vision, eyes with glaucoma must be treated early (usually within hours of detecting an ocular problem, as evidenced by an increase in squinting, tearing, rubbing, or redness), before damage to the retina and optic nerve occur and the eye enlarges. The first priority in treating animals with glaucoma is to preserve vision. If a pet has lost vision, the next goal is to keep the pet comfortable.

Treatment for glaucoma: In early cases of glaucoma medical therapy is often instituted. The various medications work, primarily, in two different ways - to decrease production of aqueous humor and to open up the filter to make it more efficient. A pet may be prescribed a variety of topical and oral medications which work in concert to decrease intraocular pressure.

Some cases of glaucoma are resistant to the effects of medications. Surgical treatment of glaucoma may include laser therapy or cryosurgery to reduce aqueous humor production. When vision and comfort are no longer able to be maintained , additional surgical procedures may be recommended including either removal of the entire eye (enucleation) or removal of the ocular contents (evisceration) and placement of a prosthesis (false eye).

In animals that have lost vision in one eye due to primary glaucoma, an important therapeutic goal is to maintain vision in the pet's other eye. Life-long prophylactic glaucoma therapy for the remaining functional eye may be instituted.

Please contact your local veterinarian or board-certified ophthalmologist immediately if you notice any redness, pain, excessive tearing or cloudiness in your pet's eye(s). The earlier glaucoma can be diagnosed and treatment instituted, the better the chances are of maintaining vision in a glaucomatous eye.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is the dislocation (slipping) of the patella (kneecap). In dogs the patella is a small bone that shields the front of the stifle joint. This bone is held in place by ligaments. As the knee joint is moved, the patella slides in a grove in the femur. The kneecap may dislocate toward the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) of the leg. This condition may be the result of injury or congenital deformities (present at birth). Patellar luxation can affect either or both legs.

The most common occurrence of luxating patella is the medial presentation in small or miniature dog breeds. Shallow femoral groove, weak ligaments and malalignment of the tendons and muscles that straighten the joint are all conditions that will predispose a dog toward luxating patellae.

Indications of patellar luxation are; difficulty in straightening the knee, pain in the stifle, limping, or the tip of the hock points outward while the toes point inward.

Grade 1: Intermittent patellar luxation - occasional carrying of the affected limb. The patella can easily be manually luxated at full extension of the stifle, but returns to proper position when pressure is released.

Grade 2: Frequent patellar luxation - in some cases luxation is more or less permanent. The affected limb is sometimes carried, although the dog may walk with the stifle slightly flexed.

Grade 3: Permanent patellar luxation - even though the patella is luxated, many animals will walk with the limb in a semi-flexed position.

Grade 4: Permanent patellar luxation - the affected limb is either carried or the animal walks in a crouched position, with the limb partially flexed. To learn more about testing and rating patellar luxation, click here.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccinations might not seem like a "health issue" at first glance, until you consider the vast numbers of dogs killed by Distemper and Parvovirus before the era of effective vaccines to prevent these infections. Thanks to vaccinations required by law, canine rabies is seldom seen in the United States, but that dreaded disease is still a serious problem among dogs in some parts of the world. Modern vaccines can also protect our dogs against other infections when needed, such as Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, and kennel cough. Vaccination guidelines will continue to evolve with advances in veterinary knowledge and as new vaccines become

Worms are a normal part of owning a dog. As breeders we order our worming supplies through Lambriar Vet Supply to prevent and treat hook, round, tape, whip as well as heart worms. The following wormers are recommendations by me and we are not vets so consult your Veterinarian before using these medications. These are just what we do at our kennel. We prefer to rotate between two different wormers. The first wormer we use is Pyrantal Pamoate:We use Pyrantal that is labeled for humans to treat pinworms and the dogs love it. Pyrantal only needs to be used for one day and works well on hookworms and roundworms. Pyrantal has the same active ingredients as the most popular wormer given by vets just a different brand name. The second wormer we use is Fenbendazole commonly called Safe Guard. This wormer works well for roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. With Fenbendazole you will need to worm for 3 days in a row for the medication to work. The recommended dosage of this exact product and strength for canines is 1 ml (which contains 100 mg active ingredient) per 5 lbs of a dogs body bodyweight. Example: 25 lb dog would get  5 ml (same as 5 cc or 1 teaspoon) per day for a 3 day period . 

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Coccidia information below from of Lambriar Vet Supply and treatment information as well.

CoccidiaIntestinal tract infections in puppies are often caused by single cell organisms called coccidia. What are coccidia?Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that multiply in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats, most commonly in puppies and kittens less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, other disease present).As a puppy ages, he tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult, he may carry coccidia in his intestines, and shed the cyst in the feces, but experience no ill effects. It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidia. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy puppy to arrive at his new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the puppy has been at the new home for less than thirteen days, then he had coccidia before he arrived. This is because the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is about thirteen days. If the puppy has been with his new owner several weeks, then the exposure to coccidia most likely occurred after the animal arrived at the new home. How are coccidia transmitted? A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's feces, and if the mother is shedding the infective cysts in her feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within their intestines. Since young puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and engulf the young animal's intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects. From exposure to the coccidia in feces, to the onset of the illness, is about 13 days. Most puppies who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age and older. Although most infections result from contamination from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected puppy or kitten is contagious to other puppies or kittens. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to isolate those infected from those that are not. What are the symptoms of coccidia? The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidia is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances, die from the disease. Most infected puppies are in the four to twelve week age group. Because of this, the possibility of coccidia should always be considered when a loose stool or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis. What are the risks? Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most common in animals who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Coccidia is very contagious, especially among young puppies. Entire kennels may become contaminated, with puppies of many age groups simultaneously affected. What is the treatment of coccidia? Fortunately, coccidia is treatable. Drugs such as Albon have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Albon is a low-dosage, rapidly absorbed, long-acting sulfonamide, effective for the treatment of coccidia; however, Albon is only available through a prescription. Because these drugs do not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms. How is coccidia prevented or controlled? Because coccidia is spread by the feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing needs to be such that food and water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all times. Sulfa drugs administered orally such as Albon are approved for use in dogs and have been very effective in treating the disease. Many kennel owners try to prevent the disease through continuous medication. The best strategy to prevent disease is through the reduction and elimination of stress and to thoroughly treat any infected dogs. Dogs that exhibit signs of coccidia should be isolated to help prevent the contamination of the environment. Also, dogs should be bathed and sanitized whenever possible to eliminate as many of the organisms as possible in the environment. The coccidia species in dogs and cats do not infect humans.

NEW! New treatment for coccidia. Breeders are you tired of treating coccidia for 21 days in every litter? Rescuers are you tired of trying to treat a sick rescue for 21-28 days? Other countries have options we don't we! Click here to read what others are doing! BAYCOX ask your vet about it.  Baycox is only available in Australia or through your vet! 

GIARDIA

What is Giardiasis? Giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a parasitic protozoan (single celled organism) called Giardia lamblia. These protozoans are found in the intestines of many animals, including dogs and humans. This microscopic parasite clings to the surface of the intestine, or floats free in the mucous lining the intestine. Veterinary research documents suggest that 5% to 10% of all dogs in North America have giardiasis at any given time. Surveys also show that about 14% of the adult dog population and over 30% of dogs under one year of age were infected at some point during their life, and thus contributed to passing along this intestinal infection to other dogs.

Click here to go to LVS and order medications

Treatment for Giardia taken from veterinary manual.  Metronidazole also known as Flagyl 11.5 to 15 mg/lb BID 5 days Metronidazole does pass into the fetus of pregnant females so do not give to pregnant dogs or dogs who may be pregnant at any stage of pregnancy. Fenbendazole also known as Safe-Guard or Panacur 22.5 to 25 mg/lb once daily for 5 days. Fenbendazole is licensed for treatment of worms in dogs but when looking at the Plum Veterinary manual is also has other uses. PLEASE click here to contact Lambriar Vet Supply to find out more and order supplies.

""Metranidazole can be purchased at Fish Zole which is metronidazole only no prescription is needed if it is labeled for fish. " 

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EAR CARE

Cleaning your dog's ears is a simple procedure. Heed the following steps.Instructions

STEP 1: Use an ear wash formulated for ear cleaning.

STEP 2: Soak a cotton ball thoroughly in the ear wash. Squeeze out excess ear wash.

 STEP 3: Place the cotton ball in your dog's ear and gently rub up and down.

STEP 4: Allow your dog to shake off excess moisture. This is important for preventing ear infections.

STEP 5: Soak the tip of a cotton swab in the ear wash and run it along the nooks and crannies of your dog's ears.

STEP 6: Avoid putting the swab down your dog's ear canal; leave this type of cleaning to the veterinary medical staff.

Tips Warnings If your dog has chronic ear infections, consult a veterinarian. Chronic ear infections could be a sign of allergies or other problems. If the ear canal looks abnormal, clean only the outside and consult a vet.

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BUGS!

There are different types of external parasites that can become troublesome to your pet.

The most common would be fleas, ticks, mites and lice. The option pet owners have is to give either and internal medication or an external medication. I get my pest control products from Lambert Vet Supply.

Ticks carry disease that are transmittable to humans as well as diseases that can kill your dog. Ticks diseases and people: While most ticks do not carry diseases some ticks can be harmful. The most common diseases carried by ticks are Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Each has some unique characteristics, but they all produce flu-like symptoms, such as fever, body aches and chills. Tick-borne diseases can be treated by a physician if identified early. However, effective treatment may take longer if the disease is in an advanced stage before being diagnosed.

Fleas: Fleas are spread so quickly especially if your dog goes to the park, dog shows, etc. Though usually only an annoyance for most canines, these bloodsucking parasites can cause life-threatening blood loss in puppies and severely infested adults. Be aware that a lot of Border Collies can have allergies to flea bites and the bites will cause extreme itching, sores and some dogs will scratch sores which can get infected so be aware. Fleas can cause an allergic reaction, transmit disease, and/or cause anemia. The most common issue people have with a fleas bite is just an annoyance but some people are allergic to flea bites. Fleas will also infest your home and once they are at your home and in your carpet it can take several treatments to get rid of these little pests.

Lice infest dogs by the thousands and can cause serious itching which can lead to more serious skin problems.

Mites:This parasite is responsible for an illness called mange. Demodectic or “red” mange produces small, hairless, irritated patches on the dog’s coat. Sarcoptic mange or “scabies” triggers severe itching along with hair loss. Mites can also enter the ears, where they cause great discomfort and inevitably trigger bacterial infections. Mites should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. A dog with ear mites will typically have  “stinky” ears with a redish-dark brown build up inside the ears.