If your dog's hair is falling out in clumps, it may have mange. Mange is a difficult condition to diagnose, partially because it is sometimes quite natural for a dog's hair to fall out. However, a consultation with your vet can help determine if your dog has mange, and what kind of treatment would work best for your dog. Mange is mostly treated with skin treatments such as shampoo or dip, or an antiparasitic medication.
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Two Types of Mange
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Mange typically falls into two categories: demodectic and sarcoptic mange. Demodectic mange, sometimes known as red mange, is caused by a carrot-shaped mite that burrows into the hair follicle. Most dogs have the mite that causes red mange, but their immune systems are strong enough to keep red mange at bay. Dogs that are ill or malnourished, and puppies or older dogs, are most likely to develop this type of mange. By contrast, sarcoptic mange is caused by a mite that burrows under the skin, causing itching and hair loss. The dog's scratching and biting at an itch can also lead to secondary infections.
Clip and Bathe
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The first step for treating a long-haired dog for mange is to clip the dog's hair short and to treat its bedding with a residual insecticide. Next the dog is bathed in a benzoyl peroxide-based shampoo. This cleanses the dog's skin and allows any topical treatment to work more effectively.
Dip
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When most people hear the words "dog dip" they think of a flea control product, but dip is also an effective treatment for mange. Some dips that have been used effectively to control mange include lime sulfur dip or organophosphate dips such as Paramite, Mitiban or Amitraz. Although dip can be used effectively to treat the mites that cause mange, the mites must come in contact with the dip to kill them. This can be difficult when the mites are on the dog's ears and face, which must be treated with care.
Parasitic Medication
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Another alternative is an internal parasitic medication. Most of these medications are already given to dogs or livestock to prevent heartworms, but must be given in larger doses to kill the mites that cause mange. You should always consult your veterinarian before treating a dog with an oral parasitic medication. Some long-haired herding breeds have been killed by high doses of Ivermectin, which is a popular oral medicine for mange and heartworms.
Topical Sprays
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Some topical sprays, such as the kind used for flea control, have also proven effective against the mites that cause mange. Two popular brands of topical spray are Revolution and Frontline.
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