The American Veterinary Medical Association says there are two main types of mange in dogs. Sarcoptic mange, scabies, is contagious. Demodectic, red mange, may be given to puppies by their dam soon after birth but is not otherwise usually contagious. Demodectic mites are common and only a problem with overgrowth. Ear mites are also a type of mange.
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Sarcoptic
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Dogs with sarcoptic mange need medications that will kill the mites and you must clean all their bedding and anything they have been in contact with.
Demodectic
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Demodectic mange may go away as the puppy's immune system matures. If it is severe or if the puppy is older than 6 months, treatment is necessary. Mike Richards, DVM, VetInfo.com, says the most common effective treatments are amitraz dips, ivermectin injections or pills, and oral milbemycin.
Ear
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Ear mites do not bury under the skin like demodectic and sarcoptic mites. P. G. Koehler, professor at University of Florida, says that ear mite mange can be treated with mineral oil.
Treatment
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Koehler writes that applying mineral oil in the ears and cleaning them every other day for three weeks may be effective in killing the mites in dogs, cats and rabbits.
Support
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Your veterinarian may also prescribe medications to help the skin irritation symptoms or infections caused from scratching.
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