Is Melaleuca Oil Effective on Dog Mange?

Melaleuca oil is commonly known as tea tree oil. It is steam-distilled from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, or the narrow-leaved tea tree, a plant native to Australia. Very few scientific studies have been done on tea tree oil, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anecdotal evidence suggests that tea tree oil may be helpful in treating mange, but veterinarians do not recommend it as a treatment option.

  1. Mange

    • Mange is a skin disease caused by microscopic mites that live in the hair follicles of dogs. If the animal's immune system is compromised, the mites can grow out of control, resulting in mange. Young dogs develop manage more frequently than older animals. There are three main types of mange: sarcoptic, demodectic and cheyletiella. Symptoms include itching, hair loss, reddened skin, scabs and sores.

    Sarcoptic Mange

    • Sarcoptic mange, commonly known as scabies, is spread via contact from animal to animal. Sarcoptes scabiei, the mite that causes scabies, can also be spread through contact with infected objects, such as blankets, hair brushes and towels.

    Demodectic Mange

    • Demodectic mange is caused by Demodex canis mites. Nearly all dogs have these mites, as they are believed to pass from mother to puppy during puppyhood. There are three types of demodectic mange: localized, generalized and demodectic pododermatitis. Localized cases are limited most often to the face, and typically occur when the animal is young. Almost all cases of localized mange clear up on their own. Generalized cases affect large areas of the dog's skin, and secondary infections make the symptoms much worse. Demodectic pododermatitis only affects the dog's foot, but the infection is very deep, requiring a biopsy to diagnose.

    Cheyletiella Mange

    • Cheyletiella mange is the only type of mange that is transferrable to other species, including humans. Thankfully, it is also the least serious type of mange, often clearing up on its own. Cheyletiella yasguri, the mite responsible, is visible with a magnifying glass. Cheyletiella mange is also known as "walking dandruff" because skin flaking is the most common sign of this disease. Symptoms otherwise match those of the other two types of mange. It is spread via contact, and the mites can survive up to 10 days in the environment, potentially reinfecting your dog many times.

    Treatment

    • If you believe your dog is suffering from mange, isolate the animal from other dogs. Thoroughly clean the animal's bedding, and continue to do so during the course of treatment. All types of mange are normally treated with antiparasitic medications, given topically, orally or by injection. Other medications may be given to ease itching, inflammation or infections. Symptoms usually improve after one month of treatment.

      Tea tree oil may relieve some of the symptoms of mange. One dog breeder reported that a topical application of tea tree oil to the affected areas can help a dog heal faster. Other dog owners disagree, warning that too much tea tree oil can actually harm your animal. Absent any hard evidence, treatments prescribed by a veterinarian are your best option to treat mange.