Mange in dogs can cause stress to both pets and their owners. Although it’s quite common for companion dogs, you still need to be wary of them spreading and even infect other dogs. You don’t have to worry, however, mange in dogs can be treated and prevented easily enough. Find out what you have to do when your pup’s itching becomes unnatural.
Mange In Dogs: How To Identify, Treat, and Prevent Mange In Your Pet
Mange Definition
Mange in dogs, also known as scabies, is a skin infection caused by microscopic mites. The wounds posed by these mites are usually confined in localized areas. They can easily be treated at home. However, the mange spreads throughout the body if not treated right away.
Causes Of Mange In Dogs
This mange mite can cause intense itch in dogs & people. It’s a Scabies mite. Burrows into the skin.pic.twitter.com/6izERjzfs1
— crablanevets (@crablanevets) September 20, 2016
Dogs naturally have mange mites living in their hair follicles. Often, they won’t cause any problems. However, once they multiply and spread, they cause itchiness, redness and even red pustules on the skin.
Types of Mange In Dogs
There are two kinds of mange in dogs that you should watch out for and keep in check: Sarcoptic and Demodectic.
- Sarcoptic Mange
Sarcoptic mange in dogs: Its effect on liver, oxidative stress, trace minerals… https://t.co/7jKfGcyTar #vitaminA pic.twitter.com/YT2qjcvzsh
— Vitamin A papers (@vitamin_A_paper) August 16, 2016
Sarcoptic mange, or canine scabies, is caused by oval, light-colored mites (Sarcoptes scabei) that can’t be seen by the naked eye. The female mites burrow into your dog’s skin, laying eggs as she goes before dying. In a few weeks, these eggs turn into adults, repeating the entire cycle.
If not treated promptly, the infection will spread and cover the entire body. It’s important to know that the Sarcoptic mites can transfer to other dogs. So if you have several pets at home, you may need to isolate the infected one.
- Demodectic Mange
Demodex Mites/ Mange symptoms in dogs
Demodectic Mange
Demodex mites are the reasons for the skin condition is… https://t.co/tRSLiYVA90— Rajeev Sahadevan (@royalgunners) March 31, 2017
Unlike the Sarcoptic mange, demodectic mange is caused by naturally existing mites in your pup’s hair follicles. They are small, alligator-shaped mites that cling onto your dog’s hair. Puppies naturally get mites (Demodex canis) from their mothers.
There are three kinds of Demodectic mange. The typical puppy mange eventually goes away as the puppy matures. Generalized Demodectic mange, however, may involve large areas of skin or even the entire body. Meanwhile, Demodectic pododermatitis infects the foot and gets aggravated by bacteria. This is difficult to get rid of.
This skin infection can transfer to other dogs, but a healthy immune system will stop it from spreading. They don’t have to be isolated, however.
Mange Symptoms
Mange in dogs will cause intense itching and hair loss. Mites that cause Sarcoptic mange loves areas without hair. You might start seeing wounds or red pustules in the arm pits, ears, chest, belly and the groin. The constant itching will cause abrasions in the skin and eventually, infections.
Demodectic mange brings with it secondary bacterial and yeast infections which are very itchy as well. Bald spots, scabbing and sores will also appear on your puppy. Generalized demodectic mange, meanwhile, will make your dog sick. Some of the symptoms include fever, lethargy as well as loss of appetite.
Mange Treatment
- Medical:
— stephanus (@dogs_andpuppies) August 19, 2017
Traditional medical care for both kinds of mange in dogs carries a lot of undesirable side effects. This treatment involves dipping your pet in a chemical-based pesticide to kill off the mites. Other options include pills and injections. The usual side effects of this treatment include tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, and even some nervous system problems.
A lime sulfur dip is a safer than the chemical pesticide dip. This all-natural treatment smells bad, but it eliminates mange-causing mites without the dreaded side effects.
- Alternative:
15 Healthy and Effective Home Remedies to Treat #Mange in #Dogs https://t.co/orCdYrJb3y #NationalDogDay #dogday #Pets pic.twitter.com/j9mqWJm00S
— Home Remedies Care (@ellieremedycare) August 26, 2017
If you think the side effects outweigh the treatment, then look into holistic remedies instead. Bathing your dog in water mixed with 1% peroxide and borax powder for two weeks is a proven treatment. Make sure not to wipe him off after the bath.
Applying neem, cedar, and even cooking oil directly on the infected skin can help. You can also use honey, yogurt, lemon, aloe vera tea or even soapy water to apply on the mange. Adding raw apple cider vinegar can also help prevent boost your dog’s immune system from fighting off the infection.
Try the lemon-garlic rinse as well. Mix 30-40 chopped garlic cloves to the juice of one whole lemon and six lemon skins. Boil it in about four liters of water. Once the solution cools down, rub it liberally on the infected skin of your pet. Do these daily for ten days.
Using natural remedies may take a bit longer, but you won’t have to deal with the nasty side effects that come with strong dips or medicine.
