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