There is more than one type of mite that can attack your dog, each causing itching and discomfort, and some causing hair loss with mild to severe skin irritation. While it is not uncommon for a dog to have mites, it is distressing for both you and your canine pet. Solutions for dog mites depend on the type of mite bothering your dog and the severity of the infestation.
Things You'll Need
- Dog hair clippers
- Benzoyl peroxide shampoo or antibacterial shampoo
- Medications as prescribed by your veterinarian
- Residual insecticide
Instructions
Get a diagnosis from your veterinarian before you try to treat your dog for mites. It is necessary to know what type of mites your dog has, as they are each treated differently. Your vet will try to get a sample of the mites and examine it under a microscope to determine whether your dog has demodex, cheyletiella or sarcoptes scabiei mites.
Clip or shave your dog if its hair is medium to long in length and if your vet recommends this. Having the hair removed from affected areas will make treating a dog with mites easier.
Bathe your dog in an antibacterial or benzoyl peroxide shampoo. This will cleanse skin that is irritated and injured from mites and scratching. The dog bath should be thorough, lasting 10 minutes, and should be followed by a thorough rinse, according to The Dog Health Guide.
Allow your veterinary office to administer organophosphate, Mitaban or lime sulfer dips, or dip your dog as instructed by your veterinarian. Dips for mites must be performed with great care, especially around the head and face, according to Peteducation.com.
Apply topical, oral, or injected medications according to veterinarian directions if pet dips are not indicated or recommended.
Ask your vet about treating secondary infections that occur with mite attacks. According to Peteducation.com, bacterial or yeast infections may occur as the result of damage to the skin in cases of sarcoptic mange.
Peteducation.com recommends that you treat your dog's bedding and environment with a residual insecticide such as permethrin if it is diagnosed with cheyletiella, or sarcoptes scabiei mites.
Treat any dogs that have come into contact with the infected dog.
Pay close attention to your dog's health maintenance, assuring a healthy diet, immunizations, and regular checkups and health screenings.