Mange can make a dog miserable, and chemical remedies come with their own set of unpleasant side effects. Some dog owners turn to holistic treatment plans to restore their dogs to health without the risks of chemical solutions and medications.
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Types of Mange
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Natural remedies can restore health to a dog suffering from mange. The term mange is used to refer to infestation with two different types of microscopic mites. Demodectic mange is more serious, and in extreme cases, it can become internal and result in death. Sarcoptic mange is less serious but highly contagious.
Neem
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Special baths, herbs and supplements are components of natural treatments for mange. Neem oil is helpful for both types of mange and can be massaged into the lesions and left for a few hours before the dog is bathed with a neem-based shampoo. Neem can also be taken internally, in the form of tea added to the dog's water.
Herbs and Supplements
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Herbs that can be taken internally for mange include garlic, burdock, echinacea, sarsparilla, licorice root, dandelion and yellow dock. Recommended supplements include vitamins C and E, zinc and lecithin.
Homeopathy
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Psorinum, silicea and sulphur are homeopathic remedies that may be used to treat both types of mange.
Holistic Approach
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Fresh air and exercise help a dog fight mange and other ailments. In addition to the topical and internal mange treatments, holistic practitioners also recommend a lifestyle that includes a natural, raw diet, no vaccinations or chemical flea or parasite preventatives, plenty of exercise, frequently washing bedding and a stress-free environment.
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