How to Treat Mange in Dogs

When healthy, our canine companions’ soft, silky coats can rival our most luxurious cashmere scarves and fleece blankets. But if you notice patchy fur or irritated skin when cuddling up with your pooch—or if they just can’t seem to stop itching themselves —these could be signs your dog is suffering from a skin disease called mange.

What can you do to return your dog’s skin and coat to its healthy, fluffy state?

Using some effective treatments and care, you can restore your dog’s comfort, alleviate symptoms, and say goodbye to this pesky skin condition. Plus, with some knowledge of what causes this skin infection and tips on how to prevent it, you and your dog can look forward to a mange-free future.

For your dog to fetch the ball, you first have to throw it. In the same way, the first step in treating mange is to understand the cause and know how to spot this condition. What is mange in dogs?

Dog mange is a skin disease caused by a parasitic mite infestation in your dog’s skin and fur. 1 There are two different kinds of mites that could cause your dog’s skin problems:

• Sarcoptic Mange (also known as scabies) – This form of mange is caused by a contagious parasitic mite called Sarcoptes scabiei that usually comes from other affected dogs or animals. ²
• Demodectic Mange (also known as red mange) – The Demodectic mite is a natural part of your dog’s skin biome, meaning they’re even found on perfectly healthy dogs. ¹

Both a sarcoptic mange mite and a demodectic mite can multiply and cause skin problems for the infected dog. If left untreated, the infection symptoms of either type can include the following clinical signs:

• Excess scratching – Does your dog have an itch they just can’t seem to satisfy? Most dogs enjoy a good scratch every now and then, but if you’re noticing your pup constantly clawing, experiencing some intense itching and scratching, or even biting, it may be a sign of mange.
• Sores and scales – All of that, the severe itching and scratching may lead to further irritation in the form of crusty skin, skin scraping, scaling, or even sores.
• Rashes and irritation – As mites multiply and bite your dog’s skin, they may cause reddish rashes below your dog’s fur.
• Thin or patchy fur – Hair loss and the loss of fur are the symptoms most commonly associated with mange. If your dog is suffering from hair loss, you should seek treatment immediately.

In the most severe cases of mange, dogs have exhibited inflamed lymph nodes and a thickening of the skin. However, this is more common in stray dogs or those that have been living outside for an extended period. ¹

If you suspect your dog has mange, your first stop should be your local vet’s office. Veterinarians can examine skin samples under a microscope for any bacterial infection that may hint at a skin infection. This will help them diagnose mange and prescribe the proper treatment for your pooch.

If you’re already dealing with mange, there are some crucial ways you can help your dog alleviate this microscopic mite, including:

• Skin relief treatment – While dealing with the larger mange problem, it’s important to provide your pooch with relief for both their comfort and to help prevent further skin scraping. An antimicrobial skin and wound care product can help reduce intense itching, pain, and inflammation while promoting healing.
• Medicated baths – Give your dog the total spa treatment with a vet-approved medicated shampoo. They’ll likely need several treatments over multiple weeks to remove any trace of unwanted mites.
• Topical and oral medication – Your vet may prescribe spot treatments or compounds to eliminate mange-causing mites. For extreme cases, oral medication may be prescribed in tandem with topical treatments. Be sure to heed all your vet’s advice about dosage and application in order to effectively treat the mite infection.

If you’re looking at your patchy puppy and wondering, “How did this happen?” don’t be too hard on yourself. Sarcoptic mange mites are highly contagious and easily transmissible between animals, meaning they could contract this form of mange from nearly anywhere.

On the other hand, demodectic mange may be the result of an internal health issue or poor diet.

So, to avoid mange, do your best to:

• Provide nutritious and balanced meals
• Keep your dog in a clean and safe environment
• Schedule regular vet visits
• Clean your dog regularly with high-quality pet shampoo

Likewise, it is important to know how to clean dog ears and other parts of the skin effectively in order to prevent infections. Of course, even the most protected pets can still get mange. Sarcoptic mites and demodectic mites are persistent, so if your preventative measures don’t work, take action quickly to minimize your dog’s discomfort.

Sources: 

1. American Kennel Club. Mange in Dogs: What You Need to Know. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/mange-what-you-need-to-know/
2. VCA Hospitals. Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mange-sarcoptic-in-dogs

If you’re also wondering how to clean a dog's eyes or how to remove a tick from a dog, we’ve got you covered! Vetericyn has the tools and resources to help you treat your pup and ensure they live a happy, healthy life. Whether you’re wondering how to tell if a dog has a fever and need to find the appropriate remedy, or you're washing your dog thoroughly to prevent illnesses, Vetericyn has the solutions you need.