In years past, a dog with mange was deemed diseased and sometimes cast out or even shot; some people didn't think the condition could be cured or helped. Others tried home remedies to treat the mange, which were sometimes pretty harsh.
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What is Mange?
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Years ago mange was considered a skin disease or sickness. The dog scratched continually, its hair fell out and the resulting sores became red and infected.
Mange actually is caused by a tiny mite that burrows into the animal's skin. The mite causes an allergic reaction and skin itching. The more the dog itches, the more the skin is damaged and prone to infection and hair loss.
Old Topical Remedies
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In years past, some dogs were covered with oil in an attempt to cure the mange. The oil would smother and kill the mites, but the dog was still prone to skin infections due to the dirt and oil contaminating its broken skin.
Others applied kerosene or pure vinegar on the dog to kill the mites, but these liquids can cause severe pain--especially the vinegar, which contains a lot of acid.
Washing the dog in a solution of 1% peroxide, water and borax is another old remedy. The dog is bathed in this solution once a week until the mange goes away. The dog is left wet so the solution can soak in.
Some people applied oil-based ointments such as Vaseline, lard and lye soap. The greasy gels would have smothered the mites, without treating the skin itself.
Natural Remedies
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Many vets today do not advise pet owners to treat mange with home remedies. Severe mange is contagious and dangerous to dogs, cats and even humans.
Some vets recommend natural homeopathic remedies to treat mange, such as adding ground pumpkin seeds to the dog's diet. The zinc contained in the seeds promotes healing.
Other such treatments include using lemon juice or an herbal mixture of lavender and almond oil on infected skin (see drpitcairn.com).
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