What Are the Treatments for Mange?
Mange is a skin disease caused by burrowing mites that affects many mammals, including our beloved household pets. There are different types of mange, some more contagious than others. Treatment for mange will depend on the type of mange, how far the condition has advanced and the species of the infected animal.
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Canine Demodectic Mange
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Localized cases of demodectic mange are treated with a 1 percent rotenone ointment or a 5 percent benzoyl peroxide gel, applied daily. Generalized demodectic mange is typically treated with amitraz dips every two weeks and antibiotics to combat deeper skin infections.
Canine Sarcoptic Mange (Scabies)
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Sarcoptic mange can be treated topically, with a selamectin ointment, or can be treated with off-label doses of ivermectin or milbemycim oxime. Sarcoptic mange is extremely contagious, thus your dog's environment and other household animals should also be treated.
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Feline Demodectic Mange
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Cats with demodectic mange can be treated topically with a rotenone or diluted amitraz solution, or orally with ivermectin. Feline demodectic mange is quite contagious, so all household cats should be treated.
Feline Notoedric Mange (Scabies)
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The current treatment for notoedric mange is to clip the cat's fur, give the cat a cleansing bath and apply a 2 percent to 3 percent lime sulfur solution. This is repeated every seven days for 6 to 8 weeks.
Sarcoptic Mange in Ferrets
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Ferrets with sarcoptic mange are treated with ivermectin or with 2 percent lime-sulfur dips. Antibiotics are sometimes given to combat skin infections. The ferret's environment and other household animals should also be treated.
Mange in Small Animals
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Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and mice can also be affected by mange. They are typically treated with ivermectin injections and medicated dips.
Warning
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Do not ever attempt to treat your pet for mange without consulting a veterinarian. Treatment for mange in one species can be toxic to another.
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Resources
- Photo Credit office.microsoft.com, freedigitalphotos.net
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Comments
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neemqueen
Jul 02, 2009
Everyday Solutions Rx has natural treatments using sulfur and/or neem. Cleaning and disinfecting the environment is necessary to prevent re-infestation with contagious types of mange. DE (diatomaceous earth) is quite effective for the environment but always use Food Grade DE! Pool grade has been heat and chemically treated and is quite toxic to animals, humans and the environment.
