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Canine Scabies Treatment (sarcoptic mange)"Canine Scabies Treatment is highly effective and can involve prescription medications or home treatment. 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 TreatmentScabies 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 ScabiesA 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 TreatmentOne 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-sulfer treatment such as Dermisil for Pet Mange or seek prescription medications from your veterinarian.If you are using a prescription dip as an added step a bath in a benzoyl peroxide shampoo (OxyDex or Pyoben) might help. Mites live in hair follicles nad 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-sulfer 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 heartworm preventitives . Home Remedies for a Dog With MangeMany owners have success with home remedies using a lime-sulfer 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 and and for outdoor mite removal use a steam cleaner. From Canine Scabies Treatment to More on Dog Mange
To Dog Health Guide Home SourcesThe Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and CatsPrevention Magazine Brevitz, Betsy DVM Canine Scabies: An Update
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