How Is Mange Treated?

Dogs are great pets, but they can sometimes develop a skin condition called mange that needs to be treated.

Mange is primarily a canine disease (though there is a form found in cats) caused by a mite. The Demodex parasitic mites multiply within the hair and skin of dogs causing hair loss, skin lesions and immune system problems. A veterinarian can diagnose the problem by examining skin scrapings under a microscope to check for the mites. The vet might also check a dog's blood and stools for further evidence.

Red Mange

Red, or demodectic, mange happens when Demodex canis mites grow within the hair follicles of the dog's coat. The condition is treated through topical applications. A veterinarian may prescribe Goodwinol ointment or benzoyl peroxide for daily application to the affected areas. If the condition is more widespread (about 10 percent of cases), the dog might be washed in Amitraz dips every other week for two to three months. Ivermectin and Milbemycin oxime have also been prescribed as a treatment. Red mange is a hereditary condition and not contagious.

Sarcoptic Mange

Sarcoptic mange is also called canine scabies. The sarcoptes scabiei canis mites burrow into the skin and lay their eggs. When treating this type of mange, all animals that have had contact with the affected dog need to be treated. First, the fur is clipped exposing the scabs. The dog is then washed with an antiseborrheic shampoo so the scabs can be removed. The dog is then dipped biweekly to kill the mites. The dog's bedding should be washed and treated with insecticides. This type of mange is contagious and can pass to humans; the mites can reproduce on humans.

Cheyletiellosis

Cheyletiellosis has been called "walking dandruff." The Cheyletiella mite that causes it can be seen by the human eye as it moves on the dog's skin. Lime-sulfur or biweekly Amitraz dips over two months are the most-common treatment. Medications and treatments for fleas, such as flea bombs, have also proven to be effective in treating this type of mange. The best medications are Selamectin and Imidacloprid. The dog's bedding should be washed and treated with insecticides. This type of mange is contagious to other animals, so all dogs and cats in a home should be treated at the same time.

Ear Mites

Most people wouldn't consider ear mites a type of mange, but the Otodectes cynotis mites cause skin irritation to the ear, meeting the definition of mange. To treat ear mites, the ear discharge needs to be cleaned from the ear so the medication can penetrate in order to be effective. Tresaderm is the most-common medication prescribed for ear mites. It is placed directly in the dog's affected ear. This condition is contagious to other animals, so any animals the dog had contact with should also be checked for ear mites.

Cat Mange

Though dogs are the pets that most often get mange, cats can be infected, too. Feline scabies are caused by the Notoedres cati mite in a way similar to sarcoptic mange in dogs. The first steps in treating mange in cats is to isolate the cat. The mange is contagious to animals and humans. The medication may be topical, injected, shampoo or dip. The method will depend on your veterinarian's recommendation and the severity of the mange. Though similar to sarcoptic mange, do not try treating a cat with the same dips, shampoos or medications you would use on a dog. It could be toxic to your cat.

References

• The Dog Guide: Mange Why is My Dog Scratching Part 2
• Pet MD: Mange in Dogs
• Pet Education.com: Feline Scabies in Cats