How to Prevent Mites on Dogs

Mites on dogs, generally referred to as Mange, is a condition that causes increasing irritation leading to itching, inflammation and hair loss. Mites burrow into a dog's skin and move into the hair follicles and oil glands. The dog then develops an itch. Soreness and redness develop, which induces crusty lesion formations on the skin. Mites live undisturbed in dogs, but flareups occur when the animals' immune system becomes compromised, at which time the symptoms begin to develop.

Instructions

    • 1
      Examine your dog's skin for evidence of mites.

      Prevent mites on your dog by performing regular skin checks on the animal. Bathe your dog and apply recommended oils to the animal's skin. Take note if your dog appears to scratch one area of his or her skin regularly. Observe your dog's patterns and determine whether or not he or she becomes agitated while scratching.

      Watch for hair loss, and check whether other pets in the home are experiencing similar symptoms that may also include inflammation, says the website Bigpawsonly.com in its "Mange Mites" article. Arrange to have your dog seen by a veterinary physician, but do not apply homemade bath potions to your dog's skin before taking the pet to the physician's office.

      Observe the veterinarian's examination of your dog, and ask about the dog's status following the results of microscopic testing of skin scrapings that might show evidence of mites, the article states. Blood work may also be done to confirm the infestation, says the Bigpawsonly website.

    • 2
      Look for hair loss on your dog's skin which may indicate a mite infestation.

      Do not wait until your dog is developing bald patches on the skin before taking the animal in for veterinarian intervention, since infestation by then may have spread all over the animal's skin, the Bigpawsonly article warns. Carefully examine your dog's skin at the first sign of itching and move quickly to get help and prevent dog mite infestation on your dog.

      Your dog will be treated with antibiotics prescribed by the veterinarian if mites are on his or her skin, and this regimen offers the animal relief within seven days, says the Bigpawsonly article. Perform regular checks of your dog thereafter to prevent mites from lodging on your dog.

    • 3

      Prevent your dog from playing with stray dogs while you are walking him or her. Many stray dogs have various maladies that can affect your healthy dog if contact is made. Let your children know that their family dog must not play with strange dogs when they take the dog outside to play.

      Acquire a dog grooming kit that you can use to make sure that your dog's coat is meticulously cleaned and groomed. Make and keep annual veterinarian checkup appointments for your dog. Ask the veterinarian how you can protect your dog from mite infestations.

    • 4

      Remember to check your dog's ear for waxy drainage. Mites are attracted to oil-based areas of the skin, where they comfortably lodge in. Watch for signs of your dog shaking its head or scratching its ears.