New puppies can have all sorts of health problems. This is why it is important to take your new dog for a veterinary checkup as soon as you get him. One of the more common problems that can occur in puppies is demodectic mange, or skin mites. These microscopic parasites live on the skin and are difficult to get rid of. They usually occur in puppies because of their weak immune system. There is not much you can do to prevent these mites because they are usually passed from mother to puppy.
Instructions
Look for signs and symptoms of mange in your puppy. The most common symptoms include the loss of hair on the head, especially around the muzzle and eyes. The skin will probably look irritated, with bare red and flaky spots. In some cases the hair loss will be limited to little patches on the head. In more severe cases it can affect the puppy's whole body. Even though the lesions look irritating and painful, they are not. Most of the time, the puppy will not even scratch the spots.
Take your puppy to a veterinarian if you notice any symptoms of demodectic mange. Any puppy that is adopted should be seen by a vet immediately. This will help detect any health issues that need to be treated. The veterinarian will examine the puppy and look at the symptoms of mange. She also will ask for a medical history of the puppy and will want to know details about where it was adopted from and when you noticed symptoms.
Allow your veterinarian to take a skin scraping of the lesions as the definitive way to diagnose mites. The veterinarian will scrape the top layer of the skin and make it bleed slightly. Then he will view the sample under a microscope to look for mites. These mites cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Begin treatment as soon as your puppy has been diagnosed with mites. If the mange is localized to one area, like the head or face, it usually doesn't require treatment. Localized mange will resolve itself without treatment in 90 percent of cases. In some cases, the veterinarian may prescribe a medicated cream that can be directly applied to the affected area. She may also recommend a shampoo to use in conjunction with the cream.
Use more extensive treatments for dogs who have more severe cases of mites. This usually includes a schedule of medicated dips that are done at your veterinarian's office. This dip is called Mitaban and contains the medication amitraz that helps to kill mites on the skin. Once the puppy has two consecutive negative scrapings, treatment can stop. Some cases of mange can be long term and may require regular medication.