MANGE

skin disease of animals caused by any of six varieties of mites, characterized by inflammation, itching, thickening of the skin, and hair loss. The most severe variety is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which also causes human scabies. Some form of mange is known in all domestic animals, although most mange mites will infest only one species; they are transmitted between animals by direct contact and by objects that have been in contact with infested animals.