Bag Balm for Mange in a Dog

Recognizable from its distinctive green tin, Bag Balm was a staple on farms for decades before the salve caught wider public attention for its soothing properties for man and animal alike. Dog owners choose Bag Balm as a treatment for mange and other skin ailments.

  1. Background

    • Bag Balm first appeared in 1899, marketed to farmers as a way to condition and protect cows' udders ("bags") against the rigors of milking and winter weather. Consisting of lanolin, petrolatum and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, "the substance with the mild medicinal odor has evolved into a medicine chest must-have, with as many uses as Elmer's glue," Associated Press writer John Curran notes in an article posted in USA Today.

    Mange and Bag Balm

    • Demodectic mange in dogs occurs from an infestation of mites, which most dogs host without incident. Occasionally, however, an imbalance in the dog's immune system causes a reaction to the mites, resulting in bald spots, redness and itching of the skin. Left untreated, the parasites can cause serious skin disease, according to Mange Dogs. In the case of demodectic mange, Bag Balm provides an antiseptic coating.

    Recommendations

    • Naturalhome-remedies.com recommends Bag Balm for mange, cuts, scratches, insect bites and other irritations. Rubbing the formula on the affected area may help discourage dogs from scratching and licking at the mange. Gundogs Online recommends Bag Balm for chapped skin, wind burn and sunburn. The salve also keeps dog pads soft and conditioned.

    Considerations

    • As a topical emollient, Bag Balm can cause allergic reaction in dogs sensitive to its active ingredients. A dog suffering such side effects as hives around or swelling in the mange area should be seen by a veterinarian.