Prevent and cure Mange in Dogs

What is scabies?

Also known as scabies in dogs or canine scabies, mange is a cutaneous (skin) condition caused by a type of mite that attacks the tissue and generates a lot of itching, hair loss in the affected area and damage to the integrity of the skin. your dog’s skin

This type of skin disease is very contagious and it is enough to have physical contact with the affected dog for it to become infected, which is why it is vitally important to prevent it and treat it immediately, to prevent its spread.

Mange in pets is a disease that commonly affects dogs , but can also harm people who live with them.

There are at least 5 types of mange that can affect your dog, these are:

Demodectic mange

Also known as red mange , this type is usually the most common and is caused by the Demodex Canis mite, which is typical of the dog’s skin, but in low numbers.

It usually develops when the mites multiply and attack in an uncontrolled way due to some weakness in the dog’s immune system or due to lack of proper grooming. It can manifest in a generalized or localized way.

Sarcoptic Mange

Another common type of mange in dogs is caused by the Sarcoptes Scabeie mite , which is very aggressive and can even affect people.

Otodectic Mange

It is an uncommon type of mange and is caused by Otodectes Cynotis, which are large mites that live in the dog’s ears, so diagnosis is simple.

Cheyletiella scabies

It is a type of mange that attacks puppies more frequently and is quite contagious. This disease is caused by the Cheyletiella spp mite and can be fatal in puppies if not treated promptly.

Scabies Pneumonyssoides

This type of mange is very rare and not so aggressive , it mainly attacks the areas near the dog’s nose, since that is where the Pneumonyssoides Caninum mite usually lodges, this also allows the differential diagnosis to be easier.

How to prevent mange in dogs?

Although no dog is exempt from infection, there are some measures that you can apply to help prevent mange, for example:

• Bathe your dog periodically with special products for him, which can help maintain the health of his skin.
• You should wash his bed and his personal items frequently, as well as disinfect the area where he eats and sleeps.
• If you walk your dog in parks or outdoor places, try to use a dry cleaning or cleaning product when you get home, to clean it.
• Prevent him from playing in the street with dogs that do not seem healthy, that are unknown or that seem to have scabies, remember that it is spread by contact.
• Keep your dog’s vaccinations and deworming treatments up to date and go regularly to his veterinary check-up.
• Brush your dog regularly and check that his coat is healthy and shiny, doesn’t shed easily, and has no bare patches. Even if it is short-haired, all dogs should be brushed.
• Keep an eye out if your dog loses weight, stops eating, or is listless for more than a day, and see your vet if this happens.

How do I know if my dog ​​has scabies?

This is usually a very frequent question among dog owners who suspect that their pet may have scabies. Some of the most common symptoms that may indicate that your dog has scabies are the following:

• He scratches constantly, more intensely at night.
• It has areas where it has lost some hair.
• Weakness and deterioration of the coat.
• Weightloss.
• loss of appetite
• Scales and crusts on the skin.
• Reddened skin areas.
• Bad smell.
• Skin rash and even wounds.
• General decay.

If your dog exhibits most of these symptoms, it is very likely that he has mange and you should go to the vet to have it treated as soon as possible.

How to cure mange in dogs?

If your dog has been infected with scabies and you want to know how to cure it, in this section we will tell you about the treatments that are applied to combat this annoying skin condition in dogs.

There are a large number of products on the market for the treatment of scabies , many times the choice of treatment depends on the type of scabies that the dog presents, but in general the same ones are used.

Products for external use such as special shampoo and soap are recommended for this type of mites and mostly made with sulfur components (with sulfur).

Topical treatment may also include anti-mite spray or lotion , so it is recommended to shave the entire coat to effectively apply the spray or lotion.

Another option is pharmacological treatment, either in tablets to be administered orally or in injectable solution , this treatment may be applied in conjunction with steroids to reduce itching, inflammation and redness in your dog’s skin.