Perhaps your dog is one of the lucky ones –perhaps she’ll never have any skin problems. But sometimes, even the most pampered and doted-on indoor pooch can develop a skin disease of some kind. In fact, any dog, no matter the breed or environment, can eventually encounter a variety of skin problems.

One type of parasite that attacks even the most fastidious of dogs is the mite. Mites are extremely tiny parasites that burrow into the skin, triggering infection and extreme irritation in your dog. Of all the mites in the world, there are three types that live to torment dogs. These are the Demodex and Sarcoptes mites, which both cause mange, and Otodectes mites, which jump from one dog’s ear to another’s, and causes inflammation.

Unlike the other dog mites, it sometimes possible to see the Otodectes variety with the naked eye. Occasionally, you might actually spy them as tiny white dots milling around in the ear.

On the other hand, Demodex mites are effectively invisible. That’s okay, though — you’ll know they’re there because your puppy will start developing bald patches. Actually, your dog carries Demodex mites all the time; yet they usually don’t pose a problem for grown animals. Still, it’s not unusual to see them cause mange in puppies whose natural immunities aren’t yet developed, making them more susceptible to this type of attack. Occasionally, you’ll also see Demodectic mange crop up in an adult dog who’s undergoing a lot of stress — just like humans who sometimes lose hair or eyelashes under the same circumstances.

How can you tell Demodectic mange from another affliction? It leads to what’s called pustular dermatitis in your adorable little puppies, causing symptoms around the head and shoulders. Sometimes the skin becomes infected, a problem known as juvenile pyoderma. Common symptoms of an out-of-control Demodex infection include hair loss, oily, flaky skin, and a peculiar “mousy” odor.

If your puppies develop this problem, you’ll need to take them to the vet within 24 hours, or they could develop some serious scarring. Your vet can offer relief in the form of antibiotics and other drugs. She might also suggest some medicated shampoos to control the odor and excess oiliness. The good news is, almost every puppy outgrows their Demodectic mange eventually.

Sarcoptes is a different type of mite that attacks all dogs, young and old. This type is commonly known as scabies, a communicable skin problem that can spread to humans. Sarcoptic mange often shows up as an itchy rash and growing patches of hair loss around the ears, elbows and hocks.

When Sarcoptic mites attack your dog, they actually burrow through the skin, creating tunnels where they lay their eggs. Needless to say, this experience amounts to agony for your dog. Foxes, who sometimes catch mange from feeding sites without the benefit of veterinarians to help them, have been seen purposely throwing themselves off cliffs to escape the misery caused by this disease in its advanced state.

Even more creepily, Sarcoptes mites can transfer themselves from your dog to you. You’ll know if this happens, because you’ll experience something like a 24-hour period where you itch from your toes to your eyelids. This mite can’t complete its life cycle in humans, so the infestation is temporary, but it’s still enormously unpleasant. Sometimes, in humans, you can actually see the tunnels the mites have created under your skin.

Mange is one of those things that can really make your dog suffer, so it’s important to treat him right away to keep him from harming himself with scratching and biting. You’ll find him unable to sleep, the itching’s so awful for him. Mange isn’t a simple disease to treat, however. Your vet may try several things depending on your dog’s breed, such as a somewhat experimental use of a drug called ivermectin (this drug is actually poisonous to some breeds, so don’t try at home). Another popular anti-flea and tick drug, called Revolution, is said to work against mange. Finally, your vet may prescribe special insecticidal shampoos.

During this time, it’s very important to help shore up your dog’s immune system by giving him the best quality food you can possibly find — Sarcoptic mange can be a dramatic signal that your dog needs more nutritional support. Look into feeding him fresh, raw meat and veggies or at the very least, a premium dog food from a pet store or the Internet.