Canine Mange

"Canine Mange can be treated with prescription and/or home treatments.
It is difficult to diagnose so treatment with usually begins if the condition is suspected. Prescription and non-prescription options are considered effective."

Mange in dogs is caused by mites, tiny parasites that are invisible to the naked eye. These mites burrow under the skin, causing balding, sores, and itching.

Dog Mange Symptoms

There are two types of canine mange, each with its own symptoms.

Demodectic mange - Symptoms include red, scaly bald patches. If there are just a few of these, it is considered localized demodectic mange. If the scaly patches cover a large portion of the body, it is considered generalized demodectic manage.

Sarcoptic mange (scabies) - Symptoms include red crusty skin that is very itchy. These mites prefer hairless skin, so symptoms generally first show up on elbows, abdomen, and ear flaps.

Canine Mange Diagnosis

Your vet can probably diagnose mange just by looking at it. He or she can also do a skin scraping and examine it under a microscope. Mites might not show up in the skin scraping, however, because your dog may have scratched the area, killing the mites in that spot. Just because mites don�t show up in the skin scraping doesn�t mean there are no mites on the dog, however, so a negative skin scraping doesn�t mean your dog doesn�t have mange. Skin scraping tests are considered accurate about 50% of the time. Sometimes a vet will just go ahead and treat a dog for mange and, if symptoms go away, then the diagnosis is confirmed.

Pictures of Dog Mange - Scabies

Scabies Photo

Ear Scabies Photo

Canine Mange Photo - Demodectic Mange

Demotectic Mange Photo

Canine Mange Treatment

Traditional canine manage treatment involves medicated dips, such as Amitraz. These dips are used for several weeks in order to be most effective.

However, there are a couple alternative prescription treatments now available. Ivermectic is a medication that can be used to treat both types of mange. Given weekly by injection, for up to four weeks, this medication is more expensive but much easier to use than the traditional dips.

Interceptor is an oral medication used to treat both types of mange. The up side is that it is easier than messy dips. The down side is that it is expensive and sometimes takes as long as three months to be effective in cases of generalized demodectic mange.

A word of warning: Some people use motor oil as a home remedy for dog mange. Do NOT do this. It is absorbed by your dog�s skin and is toxic. It causes a dangerous drop in blood pressure. If your dog licks any of the oil off his skin, it is highly poisonous. It can cause kidney and liver damage.

We suggest you consider the products made by Dermisil which mix with your dogs current shampoo, are as effective as prescription alternatives and cost less than a visit to the veterinarian.

Avoiding the Return of Mange

Since mange is caused by mites in your dogs environment, it is important to clean the area where you dog lives. We recommend Benzarid as a safe and effective treatment for removing mites from your home.

Sources

www.marvistavet.com

Update on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Fleas and Mites
Mueller, Dr. Ralf S.

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