Bryan,

                     I hate to contradict you here but in fact "red mange" is indeed the same thing as Demodectic
                     mange. The condition in this particular situation is caused by the mite Demodex canis. "Red
                     Mange" is merely the layman's term for describing this condition. It is called "red mange" because
                     the affected animal's skin often has a reddish appearance. The other type of mange that is
                     commonly seen in dogs is called Sarcoptic Mange and is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabei
                     var. canis. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious while "red mange" or demodectic mange is NOT
                     but is in fact as you pointed out hereditary. The layman's term for Sarcoptic mange is "summer
                     mange".

                     Other distinctions between the two is that Sarcoptic mange is often very pruritic (means itching)
                     and affected animals will scratch excessively while Demodectic or "red mange" is rarely pruritic.
                     The sarcoptic mites actually burrow into the dogs skin and thus the reason for the pruritis, while
                     the demodectic mites merely fill up the hair follicles causing a folliculitis and that in turn causes the
                     hair to fall out.

                     The demodectic mites are actually "passed" to the pups after they are born. All dogs have
                     demodectic mites on their bodies. Demodectic mites are considered to be part of the normal "flora
                     and fauna" of a dog's skin. As you pointed out in a normal dog the immune system, when
                     functioning properly, will keep the mites in low enough numbers that no alopecia (means hair loss)
                     will develop. However in dogs that are affected by red mange there is a hereditary defect in their
                     immune systems (believed to be a specific "T" lymphocyte defect) that keeps the immune system
                     from functioning properly and keeping the mite population under control. Dogs which are affected by
                     red mange due to this defect in their immune systems will never "outgrow" it and will have to be
                     treated on a regular basis to keep the condition under control.

                     Now there is some validity in your statement that some dogs will "outgrow" red mange. I believe
                     this can easily be explained if one understands the disease process and realizes the
                     immunosuppressive effects of "stress". Stress is immunosuppressive (basically means that it
                     keeps the immune system from functioning properly or at a lower than normal level). Stress comes
                     in many forms, temperature, changes in environment (ie. puppy goes to a new home), weaning,
                     teething, regular training of young dogs, poor nutrition, etc. All of these "stresses" can have a
                     negative impact on the dog or puppy and be immunosuppressive. In some cases if a puppy is
                     undergoing a period of stress it can indeed have a minor case or what we call a "regional or
                     localized" case of red mange. Many times when the stress is removed or is overcome the immune
                     system will recover and the dog will "spontaneously cure".

                     The major difference when treating and defining cases of red mange is whether or not the condition
                     is regional or localized (means confined to one area of the body, ie. say on the head or one foot) or
                     if the condition is generalized (means the condition is widespread and found in multiple locations of
                     the body). Generally speaking, some cases of regional or localized red mange may indeed be due
                     to some type of stress and can in fact "spontaneously cure". This is significant because in these
                     cases the hereditary defect in the dog's immune system may not be present and the dog may in
                     fact be used later in life for breeding purposes. But if the dog has a case of generalized red mange
                     this is most often due to the fact that the hereditary defect is indeed present and the dog should be
                     neutered and not used for breeding. Now, I would always recommend that you consult your regular
                     veterinarian when deciding whether or not to breed a dog that has had "red mange" and follow their
                     advice. I have made the previous statements based on my treating and seeing cases of red mange
                     and there is no hard and fast rule about whether or not a particular animal that has had red mange
                     should or should not be used for breeding purposes. In my practice we make this recommendation
                     on a case by case basis and I would always recommend you seek the attending or regular
                     veterinarian's advice.

                     It should also that some cases of regional or localized red mange that will spontaneously cure can
                     be seen in adult dogs. I have seen this a few times in female dogs right after they have gone
                     through a "heat cycle". My explanation for this is that when a female dog is going through a heat
                     cycle the predominant hormone is estrogen. We know that estrogen is immunosuppressive and in
                     some females I believe it is possible that they may in fact develop a small area of alopecia due to a
                     case of localized demodicosis caused by the immunosuppresive effects of estrogen on their
                     immune system.
 

                      DR.J