Mange is a skin condition that most commonly affects dogs. Somewhat like fleas, small mites infest the fur and skin of your pet, eventually burrowing their way below the skin where they literally eat the skin from the inside out. Mange can be treated at home if caught early, but serious cases of mange must be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
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Home Remedies
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One of the best ways to stop the spread of mange and kill the mites below the surface is to wash your dog in a bath of warm water to which you've added 500 cc (about 2 cups) of 1 percent hydrogen peroxide and 1 to 2 tbsp. of borax. Use gloves whenever you handle borax. Wash the pet in the solution and do not towel dry the animal. Let the solution dry on its own. Wash your pet in this way only once a week.
To heal any visible symptoms or wounds from mange, rub apple cider vinegar or any cooking oil over bald patches. Vinegar and oil will treat the symptoms, however oil will also kill the mites beneath the skin. Applying soapy water to patches will treat the symptoms and stop the spread of mange. Find a plain yogurt that contains acidophilus to treat any mange symptoms in and around the ear. Local honey can be rubbed into red patches on the skin as a treatment as well. For an all-over treatment for your pet's coat, slice a lemon and steep it in boiling water as you would for tea. Let the lemon steep overnight and then apply the mixture on your pet's coat in the morning with a sponge.
If your pet's condition does not improve or stays the same after 1 to 2 months, take him to the vet for a prescription medication or further treatment advice.
Maintenence and Prevention
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You can prevent mange and keep your dog healthy with routine coat maintenance. If your pet is struggling with mange, bathing him twice a day will remove dry, dead skin and heal patches from mites. After the mites have disappeared, routine bathing at least once a week can ensure that they do not return. Brushing the fur once a day will also heal scabs and scaly skin and keep oncoming mange at bay.
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