Puppies that are born with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to skin conditions such as yeast infections or demodectic mange. Yeast grows naturally in your puppy's ears, but if allowed to grow in abundance, it will cause an infection. The infection can then move to your puppy's skin, causing dry, itchy patches with crusty, smelly areas. Demodectic mange is caused by parasitic mites (genus Demodex) that attack the puppy's skin, resulting in lesions that look almost like rug burn. With either of these conditions, you will first want to take your puppy to his veterinarian for diagnosis and to discuss whether or not home remedies are safe in conjunction with medications that can be prescribed.
Things You'll Need
- Shampoos
- Spot treatments
- White vinegar
- Topical ointments
- Elizabethan collar
Instructions
Yeast Infections
Utilize an animal-safe, anti-yeast shampoo to strip the puppy's skin of oils and kill the yeast.
Utilize commercial anti-yeast spot treatments that can be purchased at your local pet store or your vet's office.
Wash the affected area with a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. Repeat this treatment daily until the infection is gone.
Demodectic Mange
Apply an animal-safe topical ointment that contains 5 percent benzoyl peroxide to the lesions.
Give your puppy an amitraz dip if the mange is not localized to a single area. Repeat this dip every two weeks for up to 28 weeks. Consult your vet before administering amitraz dips to any animal since they are toxic. Make sure you're in a well-ventilated room. Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any signs of distress, such as nausea or sedation, which can be caused by an adverse reaction to these dips.
Utilize an Elizabethan collar, if necessary, to keep your puppy from chewing on the infected areas.