How To Get Rid of Mange in Your Dog’s Coat
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Mange is a medical skin condition that can cause your dog a great deal of discomfort. It can also cause large patches of his fur to fall out. If you suspect that your dog has mange, it’s important to have him tested by a qualified veterinarian health provider to make sure. If this is something that you’re currently dealing with, here is everything you need to know about symptoms, treatment, and how to get rid of mange in your dog’s coat.
What is mange?
According to Happy Dog Naturals, mange is a skin condition that is caused by Mange mites. Although you may be able to tell by the symptoms that your dog has mange, it’s impossible to be one hundred percent certain without skin scrapings to detect the mites and provide a correct diagnosis. Even vets have trouble identifying them as they’re difficult to detect and only 80 percent of the tests accurately identify them. The disease is caused by a specific kind of mite, and the treatment varies per the kind of mite that is infesting your dog’s skin.
Different kinds of mange
Three main kinds of mange occur in canines. These are Sarcoptic Mange, also referred to as Canine Scabies. The second is Demodectic Mange, also called Red mange, Demodex, Puppy Mange, or Demodicosis. The third type is Cheyletiella, also referred to as walking dandruff or Chyletielliosis.
What are the symptoms of mange?
The symptoms of mange are universal and they happen in all three different types. your dog may develop thickened skin with lesions, inflammation, and irritations, itching dry skin, redness and bumps and bites that become inflamed and cause scabs, flakes, skin discoloration, and crusts around the wounds. Your dog may begin scratching at first, then whimpering if the condition is left untreated as mange tends to spread over the body. Large patches of hair/fur begin to fall out and his appearance will change drastically. In more extreme infestations, the dogs experience extreme discomfort. Mange always starts as a few small patches but the devastation to his coat will advance rapidly.
What to do if your dog has mange
According to WKBN News, any combination of the symptoms listed above is a reason for concern and suspicion of mange. It’s important to be aware of the fact that mange is contagious to humans. The mites can infest your home and get on your bodies causing similar symptoms that you see in your pet. Infections usually begin to appear between 10 days to 8 weeks after a pet or human has been exposed. It starts on the ears, elbows, chest, hocks, and stomachs. The first line of action is to call a vet and make an appointment to have your pet seen. You must also quarantine the pet to keep him away from other pets and humans. Your vet can advise about the type of mite that is found in your pet’s skin scrapings. This will determine the proper treatment to completely rid him of these annoying and sometimes dangerous pests.
Can you clear up mange on your own?
If your dog has the type called Demodex, and the dog does not have any open sores or an advanced case, you can begin treatment at home. One of the best products on the market today is Happy Jack’s Kennel Dipp II for Flea, Mange Mite, and Ticks. This product is available at most local Tractor Supply Co. retailers as well as in many online outlets. The formula must first be diluted according to the instructions on the package before it is applied.
How to apply Mange Mite Dip
The diluted solution is not applied directly to the skin. It must be mixed according to the instructions, then put in a spray bottle that is marked as containing pesticides. It is sprayed onto the fur. Allow it to soak into the fur, covering his entire body. If you do not soak all of the fur, the mange mites will migrate to the untreated areas and continue to spread, causing your pet untold misery. You must repeat this process twice a day for a full week. When you notice that the bald spots begin to regrow hair and there are no new bald spots, you can discontinue treatment. It’s essential to continue to monitor your pet to make sure that there are no new bald spots. Often, hair loss is the first sign of mange you will see. By that time the mites have fully infested his body and treatment is the only cure.
Other treatments to help manage mange and get it out of your dog’s coat
It’s recommended that you wear disposable rubber gloves when handling a pet with mange and when applying treatment. Your dog may have a somewhat shocking appearance because of the bald patches of missing fur. There are a few things you can do to help improve his comfort and appearance. It’s recommended that you trim his fur to help even it out and lessen the habitat for mange mites. Don’t shave him because you need some fur left for treatments. You can also give your dog a weekly bath in a medicated shampoo. This will help to soften the affected skin and to promote faster healing. You may also use topical medications to help manage dry skin, itching, and pain. Your vet may also prescribe a mild analgesic or other medication to help ease your pet’s suffering until the mites have been eradicated.
Final thoughts
While it’s always wise to consult a vet if you suspect that your pet has mange, there are some things you can do to treat him at home. With the covid-19 pandemic, finding an open appointment for pets at health clinics has been a challenge in some areas. If you find yourself in this situation, follow the recommendations for treatment above to help rid your pet of the contagious parasites that cause mange.
