Perhaps you have seen a dog with areas of alopecia or exposed sores, or perhaps it is your own faithful friend who has these characteristics … Sometimes, these rashes are the direct consequence of a parasitic infection called mange. There are three different types of mange, each resulting from a different type of mite. These are the Demodex mites, Sarcoptes scabiei (of scabies) and Cheyletiella. These parasites can live on the surface of the skin or burrow under the epidermis and penetrate deeper - in both cases they cause a lot of irritation and itching. The dog can also contract other secondary bacterial infections, which cause sores and areas of exposed, hairless skin. Infection can only occur in specific places on the body, such as the muzzle and legs. When the outbreak is present all over the body, it is called "generalized" mange. Sarcoptic mange and cheyletiella are preventable, demodectics are not; however, it can be monitored if you are able to recognize the symptoms and if you can get the right therapy and put it in place promptly. Effective treatment involves taking prescription drugs, which means that the first thing to do, if your four-legged friend has dermatological problems, should be a visit to the vet.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Monitoring Irritation
Step 1. Check the area of the body where the dog feels itchy
Is there a specific area of his body that makes him itch more than others? Does it lick its paws, under the tail or the abdomen?
Typical areas where an allergic dog may experience irritation are around the butt and tail, abdomen and paws
Step 2. Check for cheyletiella mange symptoms
To the naked eye, this type of mite resembles dandruff flakes and has the characteristic of moving slowly. You can notice its presence when you brush the animal's fur on a piece of paper. You can also decide to stick a few specimens on a piece of duct tape to have it analyzed.
This type of mite causes moderate irritation to your furry friend. If it is a puppy, however, it could be exposed to a more serious infestation due to the immune system that is not yet fully developed
Step 3. Check for symptoms of sarcoptic mange
In this case, the inflammatory disease is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. The dog may have red and scaly skin in some areas of the body; the parasite can cause severe skin lesions and creates stress for the animal due to severe itching.
Sarcoptic mange is highly infectious for dogs, who contract it very easily. Although this type of mite can bite and affect people as well, it does not usually cause serious problems
Step 4. Check for symptoms of demodectic mange
This type of mange, often simply called "red mange", is caused by small mites that occur naturally on the body of most dogs without causing major skin problems - unless the animal's immune defenses are compromised. In fact, it is an inflammation that affects puppies more often, precisely because of their still developing immune system.
- Demodectic mange is not very contagious and humans cannot contract it. It is generally transmitted to puppies directly from the mother during lactation. The main signs of infestation are especially noticeable around the eyes and mouth, when the puppy's immune system is unable to keep the mites under control.
- Sometimes the dog can have a hereditary predisposition. It is not uncommon for puppies to show rashes of red mange if their parents have had it in the past as well.
Part 2 of 5: Contact the veterinarian
Step 1. Take your faithful friend to the vet if you suspect he may have a mite infestation
Consult your doctor to get the best treatment based on the type of mite present on the animal. Not all mites react in the same way to various treatments, and some dog breeds may not even tolerate certain types of treatments. Do not give your dog any medications or other treatments without veterinarian approval.
The doctor is able to determine which type of mite afflicts your furry friend, and will administer the effective treatment based on the type of parasite, so getting the correct diagnosis and knowing exactly what infestation is essential is essential
Step 2. Ask your vet to brush your four-legged friend's coat
This is a simple method which consists of placing the animal on a piece of white paper and shaking its fur to make hair and residue fall on the sheet. The vet will then place the collected data on a microscope slide for analysis.
- An alternative is to use transparent adhesive tape to collect hair samples directly from the dog's fur for microscopic examination.
- This is the most common method of diagnosing cheyletiella mange. To the naked eye, the mites appear as flakes of dandruff, and since they are also very slow in movement, it is possible to catch them on duct tape. For the other two types of mites, however, other techniques are needed.
- The sarcoptic mange mite also lives on the surface of the skin and can sometimes be removed from the fur by brushing or rubbing the skin. However it is a parasite that moves very quickly and is microscopic in size, so it can also easily evade these tests.
Step 3. Ask your vet to take a blood sample from your faithful friend
Since sarcoptic mange mites move quickly and are often too small to see with the naked eye, your vet may want to do a blood test. This test tries to understand if the body has activated the immune defenses against parasites and provides a positive or negative result for the presence of infections. However, it only gives a reliable result if the animal has been infested for at least 2 weeks: this is the time it takes for the body to activate an immune response.
Step 4. Learn about skin scraping
Red mange mites live inside the skin, so the vet should use a blunt scalpel blade to scrape or scrape off the surface layers of the skin. In this way the mites rise to the surface and it is possible to capture them in the residues of the epidermis on the edge of the scalpel. Docile and quiet dogs should have no problem undergoing this procedure.
The scraped skin will then be analyzed under a microscope to identify the typical "cigar" shape of these mites
Step 5. Ask your vet about the skin biopsy
This is another diagnostic method for mange that is performed if the other sample collection techniques have not come to an accurate result. This method is also recommended in cases where there is a strong suspicion of demodectic mange. The procedure consists in collecting a sample of the entire thickness of the skin; the lab technician will look for the presence of mites inside the hair follicles.
Part 3 of 5: Treating Cheyletiella Mange and Moderate Sarcopticism
Step 1. Treat cheyletiella mange
This infestation can be treated with various medications, although some carry greater risks than others. It is therefore advisable to follow the safest solutions, when they are available.
- The recommended treatment involves three different administrations of fipronil with a spray, two weeks apart. Please note that this product is not licensed for this use, but is widely recognized to be safe and effective and is widely recommended by specialist veterinary dermatologists. Remember, however, that it is still a drug and, as such, it has its side effects.
- Among the alternatives to this therapy you can try a selenium sulfide shampoo to use every week for 3-4 applications. This is also a safe treatment.
- Another solution, but which presents greater risks, is ivermectin. It is a drug to be given by injection at weekly intervals for 3 times. Be aware that it can cause coma in breeds that are sensitive to this active ingredient, such as Collies, so it is best avoided unless there is a compelling reason to use it.
Step 2. Treat sarcoptic mange mites
Once diagnosed, this infestation is easily cured with regular applications of some common topical products. The most suitable ones contain selamectin (Stronghold) and imidacloprid.
- At first, this treatment must be applied every 2 weeks for 3 times, and then a monthly application is recommended to prevent possible relapses.
- Oral treatments are also effective, such as milbemycin oxime (Milbemax), which is administered with one tablet per week for 6 weeks.
- Older treatments, such as amitraz-based ones, are also just as effective. Know, however, that this active ingredient in particular is a liquid insecticide to be applied during the bath of the animal and that it is harmful to the environment if it is disposed of improperly; it is in fact toxic to fish if it enters the water system. It would therefore be advisable to choose safer products.
Step 3. Treat all dogs that have come into contact with the infested one
Both types of mites, both cheyletiella and sarcoptic mange, can be transmitted to other specimens. Therefore, all those who have been in the vicinity of the affected animal should be treated with the same drug.
Cats and other animals don't need to be treated
Step 4. Wash or remove all the fabrics you used for the dog's bed, as well as its items such as collars and leashes
You must carefully throw or wash any object and material that has come into contact with your four-legged friend: you must make sure you free the house from mites. Wash fabrics and other materials in hot water and, if possible, put them in the dryer at the end.
Step 5. Know that humans can also experience irritation and itching due to sarcoptic mange
The mite that causes this type of mange, in fact, can also be transmitted to humans, although it is not able to reproduce when it is on human skin. Be aware that it can cause terrible itching on specific areas of the skin, but it will eventually die. Remember that it will take 3 weeks from the onset of itching before the symptoms begin to subside.
Part 4 of 5: Treating Demodectic Mange
Step 1. Wait to see if your dog is experiencing irritation from the mites
Red mange has symptoms that are somewhat different from the other two forms, because the mite does not live on the surface of the skin, but burrows under the epidermis. It also comes in two different forms.
- Localized infection: only affects puppies and dogs less than 12 months of age. The skin of dogs normally contains Demodex mites, but it does not react or problems arise, unless the animal's immune system is compromised. Because puppies still have a developing immune system, they sometimes have small patches of alopecia with smooth pink skin. If these areas do not bother the animal, they do not require treatment. As the puppy's immune defenses are strengthened, the body is able to fight off the infection and handle the problem on its own.
- Generalized infection: Often found in dogs over 12 months of age. If the affected areas are large or have become sticky, itchy, and show signs of secondary infections, treatment should be started.
Step 2. Bathe your faithful friend with benzoyl peroxide shampoo
The generalized form of red mange, which affects the entire body of the animal, is the most serious. The name itself, "red mange", reflects the profound irritation and inflammation of the skin as a result of the large number of mites present within the hair follicles. First of all, therefore, it is necessary to shampoo the dog with a product that contains benzoyl peroxide. This, in itself, is not a real treatment, but it has a "washing of the follicles" effect, because it is able to penetrate and rinse them. In this way, the animal's body becomes a less hospitable environment for these mites, and some parasites are also eliminated during washing.
You can easily find this type of shampoo at pet supply stores. Talk to your vet for advice
Step 3. Apply insecticide in the bathroom weekly
One of the most effective treatments for demodectic mange is a weekly bath with an insecticide called amitraz. It is a liquid drug that is diluted in water and poured over the dog. Since the legs are often infected, it is a good idea to keep the animal for 10 minutes in a tub or container with a small amount of this solution. This is the minimum contact time between the skin and the drug for the latter to be effective.
- Do not rinse the product, but let it air dry.
- The treatment should be performed every week and continue until 2-3 negative skin scrapings are obtained; so it could last from 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the dog's response.
- Keep in mind that amitraz is toxic to fish, birds, reptiles and can also aggravate asthma. Bathing should always be done in a well-ventilated place, preferably outdoors, and those who perform it should wear protective waterproof clothing, such as rubber gloves and a plastic apron. People with asthma should not use this drug.
Step 4. Try giving him an oral medication
Since amitraz is unpleasant and toxic to some other animals, many veterinarians recommend generic drugs or those that are not specifically designed for demodectic mange, but which have been shown to be effective. These include:
- Milbemycin oxime (Milbemax): This is an oral dewormer. It must be administered every day at the dose indicated on the package, and the animal must continue the therapy for 30 days after having obtained 2-3 negative tests from the skin samples, which must be performed at least 7 days apart. The disadvantage of this treatment is the cost: the drug is in fact quite expensive and the amount you should pay for 60 days of treatment, if the dog is large, can be prohibitive. Furthermore, it is not always effective and, in this case, the dose must be doubled, involving an even greater expense.
- Ivermectin. This drug is administered orally at an initially low dose, which will be increased by the veterinarian as needed. Daily treatment is often needed for 3-8 months. The active ingredient can have very dangerous side effects for some dogs because it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain. It can cause breathing problems, severe loss of coordination, and even coma. The Collie breed is particularly sensitive and vulnerable to these side effects, therefore it can be said that ivermectin should not be used at all for these dogs.
Step 5. Wash or remove all the fabrics you used for the dog's bed, as well as its items such as collars and leashes
You must carefully throw or wash any object and material with which the infested animal has come into contact. You need to make sure that you rid the house of mites. Wash fabrics and other materials in hot water and, if possible, put them in the dryer at the end.
Step 6. You don't need to worry about treating other pets for demodectic mange
This infestation is not as infectious as the other two types, so even if other animals have come into contact with your sick faithful friend, they don't need to be treated.
Cubs can become infected by their mother during delivery, and the mites can remain on the skin for years, waiting for an opportunity to reproduce
Step 7. Ask your veterinarian about general health problems that can affect the animal's red mange infection
For example, a weak immune system can facilitate the presence of this infection. Every effort must be made to diagnose and treat health problems; among these could be hypothyroidism, diabetes or Cushing's disease.
Step 8. Treat the infection with antibiotics
The consequences of mange are often itching, skin lesions and bacterial infections. It is important to keep any secondary infections under control with antibiotics if necessary.
Sometimes a short course of steroids to be taken orally is advised to reduce itching, while medications treat the underlying cause. In the case of demodectic mange, however, steroids should not be given to the dog, because their immunosuppressive effect may inhibit the body's ability to fight and eliminate the mites
Part 5 of 5: Keeping Your Dog Healthy
Step 1. Make sure your four-legged friend follows a healthy diet
You need to feed him a balanced diet that contains the vitamins and minerals necessary to keep his immune system strong - it will help him cope and keep mite infections at bay. For example, experts believe that red mange mites can attack and penetrate the skin of dogs that do not have skin problems. If your faithful friend has a strong immune system, he can manage the infestation and keep it under control, so as not to develop the clinical symptoms of the disease. However, when its defenses are reduced due to poor nutrition or poor health, the mites can reproduce and cause a problem.
Step 2. Have your dog monitored regularly for parasites
Most external parasite treatments have a much broader spectrum of efficacy than fighting fleas or heartworm vectors. For example, a popular product, Stronghold, contains selamectin, which is effective against fleas and mange mites. Other common products that contain fipronil, such as Frontline and Effipro, are effective against fleas and cheyletiella mange. If you regularly give your pet a treatment with one of these products, you can protect it constantly, even if it comes in contact with these mites.
Keep in mind, however, that these products do not completely eliminate the risk of getting mange, but they reduce the risk of contracting some types, depending on the product used
Step 3. Maintain a clean environment
It is a good general rule to keep the space in which your faithful friend lives clean and in good hygienic conditions. Dirt and earth can carry parasites and provide them with the nutrients to survive. On the contrary, if the environment is clean, it is more difficult for parasites to settle and proliferate.
- Use the vacuum cleaner regularly (every day, if possible) and put a flea collar with insecticide in the bag of the appliance to kill the parasites that are sucked in. Try a flea collar that contains pyrethrin.
- Spray all furniture and carpeting with a specific insecticide spray to kill flea eggs and larvae. These products are very aggressive and can kill and remove parasites such as cheyletiella and sarcoptic mange mites from host animals (remember that demodectic mange mites live in the skin, so, in this case, the spray is not effective); in this way you reduce the risk that the dog can become infected again by coming into contact with the contaminated kennel. Your vet can recommend a spray specifically designed for this purpose, or you can search online and purchase some of these products directly from the web (remember that some can be toxic to fish, bird and reptile life). Make sure you ventilate the room well for a couple of hours after spreading the product.
- Parasites can survive for up to 7 months, so it's important to deal with any infestations.
Step 4. Clean the garden
If the dog goes outside, make sure the environment is tidy and clean for him. Remove wilted plants and organic debris such as dry leaves and rotting vegetation, which may harbor pests.
Warnings
- There are some dog breeds, such as Boxers, that are more susceptible to mange than others. If you are thinking of getting a new puppy, ask the trainer or breeder about the incidence of all types of mange for the specific breed you choose.
- It is important to treat your dog for any type of mange immediately, as the mites multiply rapidly. They compromise the animal's immune system, weakening its ability to fight infestation, and at that point the animal will be more susceptible to other diseases and / or parasites.
- Make sure you always check the label of all the drugs you plan to administer to your furry friend. Some insecticidal shampoos and baths cannot be used on younger animals of a certain age, as they can cause disease and sometimes even death. If in doubt, consult your vet.
