"Canine Scabies Treatment can involve prescription medications or home treatment. Both are highly effective. Mange is spread when one dog comes in contact with another dog. A Selamectin based spot on treatment or Lime-sulfur dips provide an effective treatment approach. Antibiotics may be needed for any infection that results from excessive scratching. Treatment lasts 4 weeks for most dogs, but can be extended to 8 weeks for larger infestations. Be sure to disinfect areas where your dog lives to avoid a repeat case of the problem."
Canine scabies treatment (also known as sarcoptic mange) is necessary when your dog picks up mites from another animal, at a kennel, or with contaminated grooming equipment. This form of mange is highly contagious in both dogs and from dogs to people. The mites burrow under the skin and lay eggs. When the eggs hatch the mites grow into adults and lay even more eggs. This can all happen in 1 to 3 weeks.Sarcoptic mange can cause severe itch resulting in excessive scratching that in turn causes the skin to become raw and red from the scratches (also called red mange because of the irritation).
Symptoms Requiring Canine Scabies Treatment
Scabies occurs on the skin and is seen on the ears, elbows, under the chest and fact. Signs include a loss of hair, red skin and crust on the ear tips. The disease causes intense licking, scratching and biting of the skin, resulting irritation (also called red mange) and possibly infection. Sarcoptic mange is contagious to people (called scabies in people) so gloves should be used when handling your pet.
Picture of Dog with Canine Scabies also called Canine Sarcoptic Mange
Diagnosis of Scabies
A time honored test for scabies is to rub the ear flap in your fingers. If your dog scratches on the same side then scabies are probably present. For a definitive diagnosis your veterinarian will scrape the skin and analyze the result. Sometimes the symptoms of scabies remain even when the mites are gone since mites leave behind a toxin that causes dog's to itch.
Canine Scabies Treatment
One way to tell if scabies exists is to begin treatment and then see if there is a response. Veterinary care or home treatment is an option. You can get a prescription from your veterinarian for an Amitaz dip (miticide) and invermectin or use a non prescription lime-sulfur treatment such as Dermisil for Pet Mange. Lime-sulfur is the FDA approved way to treat canine mange and scabies.If you are using a prescription dip, as an added step a bath in a benzoyl peroxide shampoo such as Pyoben might help. Mites live in hair follicles and benzoyl peroxide helps the hair follicles cleanse themselves of the dieing mites. Since benzoyl peroxide is drying, you will need to use a moisturizing conditioner after the baths. The Dermisil approach combines both steps by mixing the lime-sul fer active ingredient into the shampoo you currently use on your pet. Note that collies and similar dogs should NOT be given invermectin and instead should be treated with heart worm preventatives.
Home Remedies for a Dog With Mange
Many owners have success with home remedies using a lime-sulfur treatment such as Dermisil for Pet Mange. Follow the directions on the label of the product you decide to purchase. If using a dip, typical instructions are to prepare a tub with the medication and put your dog in it for 15 minutes. Use gloves to ensure that you do not catch scabies from your pet and use in a well ventilated area. If the skin is red from scratching and possibly infected then antibiotics may also be prescribed. Be sure to thoroughly clean both the in-door and outdoor areas where your dog lives to make sure that all mites are removed. Use an in-door safe cleaner such as Benzarid.
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References;
Hound Health Handbook
Canine Scabies: An Update
Didier-Noel Carlotti, Doct.-Vét., DECVD
Cabinet de Dermatologie Vétérinaire, Heliopolis B 3
Bordeaux-Mérignac, France (EU)
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