According to expert Dr. Mike Richards, at Vet Info online, red mange is one of the most common types and is found in lots of dogs, including labrador retrievers. Red mange is caused by sarcoptic mites, which are harder to see during a skin scrape than other types of mites. Even though you can try home remedies for red mange, Richards recommends it is usually only cured by medication.
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Home Remedies
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Try several home remedies on your dog to cure the sarcoptic mites that cause red mange. Shave your lab's coat and remove any clumps or dreads of hair. Wash the lab's skin with a mild soap and water, then dry carefully. Use a small comb to go through any remaining hairs to see if any mites can be spotted. Remove any you see.
Destroy all bedding, toys, and fabric items the lab might have been in contact with, as these might carry the mites that cause mange. Provide your lab with clean food and water at all times, and restrict the dog's exposure to other animals that might have these or any other type of mites.
Know When Home Remedies Fail
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Try home remedies for no more than two weeks. According to Dr. Richards, only a fraction of all red mange cases can be solved using only home remedies. It is still important to wash your dog, change and remove bedding, provide a good diet, and clean food and water. However, mites do more than reside on the skin. They get into the body of the animal, and can only be killed using medications. Dr. Richards recommends doses of Ivermectin or Mitaban. There are also dips or sprays that can be applied topically, but these are also prescription medications.
Prevent Red Mange
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Prevent red mange in your dog and in any puppies that you have. Mites come from sources like infected animals, and poor living conditions. Always keep puppies indoors, with clean bedding and fresh food and water. Mange can be hard to get rid of, especially in labs who are prone to this type of infection, so it is best to prevent it from ever occurring.
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