Mange is caused by an infestation of a parasite in the skin of your dog. The tiny parasite --or mite-- feasts upon your pooch from the inside. Mites dig into your dog's skin, living beneath the surface. There they drink your dog's blood and cause an allergic reaction. Mange is not only unsightly and uncomfortable for Fido, it can also be deadly if not treated.
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Home Treatments
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One of the most common home remedies for treating mange is mixing 500 cc of 1% hydrogen peroxide with water and 2 tbsp. of Borax. Once a week, bathe your dog in the peroxide-borax-water mixture. Do not rinse the mixture off the dog and do not wipe the dog dry. Instead, allow the treatment to work into the dog's fur.
To heal the inside of your dog's ears that have been infested with mange, apply plain yogurt that contains acidophilus. Gently apply a thin layer of yogurt to the inside of the dog's ears. Be careful not to get the yogurt down into the ear canal.
A few drops of cooking oil can be applied directly to the affected areas. Not only does the oil soften the waxy deposits that the mites create, but it will also smother many of the mites.
Combine one part lavender oil, one part neem oil and nine parts almond oil. Apply the mixture to your dog after you have given him a bath. For best results, apply twice daily.
Lukewarm, soapy water will clean off the mites that are in the dog's skin. It will also disinfect the affected areas and help keep the mange from spreading to other areas.
Mix 10 drops each of yellow dock extract and echinacea extract with 4 ounces of distilled water and apply to the affected parts of your dog. The extract will heal the irritated skin.
Prevention
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Prevention is the best defense against mange. Know what mange is and what the symptoms are. Being informed will allow you to spot a mange infestation before it becomes uncontrollable. See the Resource section for more information on mange symptoms.
Keep an eye on neighboring pets. If other animals are showing symptoms of mange, keep your pooch away. Regularly bathing and grooming your dog will prevent the infestation of mange. Dogs should be bathed at least once every two weeks. If your dog isn't one for baths, use a dry shampoo. A well-nourished and healthy dog is more resistant to mange. Feed your dog premium dog food that has no fillers. The best prevention against mange is regular vet visits to keep the overall health of your dog in check.
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