Natural Goat Demodectic Mange Cures

Sometimes known as red mange and caused by microscopic mites in the skin, demodectic mange is best treated early, as soon as symptoms start to appear. Mainstream veterinary cures for treating the demodectic mange mite specific to goats, Demodex caprae, include organophosphate pesticides and also the ̶0;natural̶1; pesticide rotenone, derived from roots of various plants (including goat̵7;s rue). Yet there are other, environmentally safer options.

  1. Infestation & Infection

    • An outbreak of demodex mites among your goats brings with it two potential health challenges. The first is the infestation itself̵2;getting rid of the mites̵2;and the second is resolving the related skin infection caused by goats rubbing, scratching and biting to relieve the itch. Localized treatment is simpler and less time-consuming, especially during the early ̶0;dry̶1; stages. When red mange infestation is advanced, oozing pustules form and the skin becomes red, swollen and scabbed-over from relentless scratching as the disease spreads over large areas of the body.

    Lugol̵7;s Iodine

    • An old-school medical and veterinary treatment, Lugol̵7;s iodine is an antiseptic solution of elemental iodine and potassium iodide in distilled water. (There̵7;s no alcohol, so it doesn̵7;t sting.) The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends Lugol̵7;s as a first-line treatment for limited patches of red mange. Since 2007, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has limited the sale of larger quantities of Lugol̵7;s because it can be used to make methamphetamine. But you can get it in small quantities (1 fluid ounce) from your local pharmacist.

    Lime Sulfur Solution

    • Lime sulfur, or calcium polysulfidex, is another traditional veterinary treatment, and a good option if the demodex mite infestation is severe. But you̵7;ll have to keep at it, with weekly treatments for a month or more, in order to completely eradicate the mites̵2;in addition to disinfecting the barn and removing all old bedding. Lime sulfur is often used as a solution sponged onto affected areas. Be sure to treat no more than one-fourth to one-third of your goat̵7;s body at any one time.

    Other Sulfur Options

    • For small areas of infestation, or when applying lime sulfur solution isn̵7;t practical̵2;as in deep winter̵2;try other sulfur-based products. Ichthammol or ichthyol ointment, more technically ammonium bituminosulfonate, derived from sulfur-rich oil shale, is sometimes called black salve. Ichthammol ointment is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, comes in 10 percent and 20 percent concentrations and has long been used to treat human skin problems, too. Ask your veterinarian about the optimal concentration to use, especially if you̵7;re using lime sulfur-based ointments or creams along with lime sulfur solution.

    Neem Oil Products

    • A key ingredient in many ̶0;natural̶1; veterinary skin products, neem oil is fast becoming a standard in organic farming for treating livestock mites and other external parasites. Neem oil shampoos, baths and sprays are options, as are newer natural lotions and creams based on sulfur, neem oil and karanja oil. Some sources say neem oil can be used full strength on serious mange infestations, but if you try it, monitor for increased irritation or inflammation (at the first sign, remove immediately). Consult your vet to make sure she has no safety concerns based on your goat̵7;s overall health.