The Best Cures for Mange

Demodectic Mange

• Demodex mites are the pests behind demodectic mange, which occurs mostly in dogs under 18 months of age. Demodex mites occur naturally in dog hair follicles, and become problematic only if other health problems or a weak immune system allow the mites to grow out of control. Localized demodectic mange is confined to a dog's face, is limited to four infected spots or fewer and happens during puppyhood. Generalized demodectic mange affects the dog's entire body,. Demodectic pododermatitis is a type of mange that's limited to the paws and is prevalent in sharpeis and old English sheepdogs. Demodectic mange is not contagious.

Sarcoptic Mange

• Also called scabies, sarcoptic mange comes from the Sarcoptes scabei mite. Unlike demodectic mange, sarcoptic mange is not a natural resident of the dog's hair follicles or skin. It's also contagious, transmissible to other dogs and to people, though infestations in humans resolve quickly on their own. The mites live about a month in the host dog's skin where they burrow under the skin's surface and lay eggs. The eggs hatch within 10 days, yielding larvae that twist about on the skin before they mature and lay fresh eggs. The mites' life cycle generates a great deal of itching in the afflicted dog. The earflaps, elbows, abdomen and other parts of the body with less fur are especially vulnerable to sarcoptic mange. Eventually, the dog's entire body is affected.

Treating Demodectic Mange

• The treatment of choice for demodectic mange is ivermectin, an anti-parasite medication delivered by mouth or injection. Ivermectin is not recommended for all dogs: It can cause a fatal reaction in herding breeds, particularly collies, shelties, Australian shepherds and English sheepdogs. Avoid using the flea preventive spinosad while your dog is taking ivermectin; the combination causes neurological damage. In dogs who can't take ivermectin, your vet might recommend dips or baths with topical Mitaban, or amitraz. Mitaban is not suited for use in puppies under 4 months old or in toy breeds. The heartworm medicine Interceptor, given daily, is also effective against demodectic mange. Localized mange usually resolves on its own, though the antibacterial ointment Goodwinol speeds healing.

Treating Sarcoptic Mange

• As with demodectic mange, ivermectin is a common treatment. Again, this is not a treatment for use in herding breeds, or with the flea preventive spinosad. Other treatment options include selamectin, sold under the brand name Revolution, which is an ivermectin derivative that's safe for herding breeds. Moxidectin, retailed under the brand name Advantage Multi, combines an ivermectin derivative with a flea-killing topical that also works against worms and other skin parasites. In addition to the Mitaban dips and Interceptor treatments, vets recommend lime-sulfur dips or baths given weekly to treat sarcoptic mange.

Prognosis

• Reversing your dog's mange requires several months of routine maintenance with dips or oral and injected medications. In tougher cases, ridding your dog of mange could take a year. During treatment, your dog will need to visit the vet for regular skin tests to determine if the mite infestation is coming under control. Treatments should continue until two consecutive skin tests show the mites have been eliminated or reduced to normal levels. Dogs cannot be considered cured of mange until a year after their last treatment. About 10 percent of dogs have incurable mange. In these dogs, rotating through several treatments periodically brings about some control of the disease.

Coonsiderations

• Your mange treatments work more effectively when you feed your dog quality pet food to prevent nutritional deficiencies that worsen immune problems. Work hard to avoid additional parasite infections from worms and fleas, because both can cause added irritations. Stay on top of your dog's vaccinations, and ask your vet about antibiotics that can prevent skin infections resulting from mange. Keep your dog clear of steroids such as prednisone that disrupt immune strength.