What is the best treatment for dog's mange?

1. 57

   che.mascarinasposted 14 years ago

   I have a dog named Yuri and her breed is shih-tzu. She will turn 3 on November 5 but she has been suffering from itching for more than 2 years now. I need some help here because the medicines and soap that veterinarian is giving her  isn't working anymore.

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   1. 60

      MyMastiffPuppiesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Here is an old home remedy that works good:
      One of the best home remedies for treating mange in dogs is to create a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution with water and Borax. Make sure that the mixture thoroughly dissolves. Once a week, wash your dog in a solution comprised of 1 to 2 tablespoons of borax for every 500 cc of 1% hydrogen peroxide. Refrain from wiping the dog dry. Simply allow the treatment to take effect. Do not exceed a treatment period of two months.
      
      Or you might also try a spray called: Permethrin
      which can be found at most farm supply stores. Directions are on the bottle for treating dogs.
      Good Luck!

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2. 59

   parkercolemanposted 14 years ago

   Hi, there are two main varieties of mange. Demodectic mange is usually treated with dips and lotions and sounds like the one you may be dealing with. Your dog needs to also be screened for any immune deficiencies or heartworm. I may be wrong about this one, but you may want to ask your vet if a product such as frontline may help. There is also a  new topical flea and mite control product available that my vet likes better, but it is even more expensive.
   
   Another kind of mange in dogs is Sarcoptic. This causes pustules and infects areas of skin on the dog that have less hair. This is also known as scabies and I guess there is some success with the topical flea control products.
   
   A question: Did your vet take a scraping from your dog to diagnose this? Severe itching can also be related to food or inhaled allergies in dogs, or perhaps you have a dual situation between the mites and an allergy. Ask your vet about also treating with benadryl and what the correct dose would be if appropriate. If nothing else, your dog may rest easier under its influence.
   
   One more thing, my dog is allergic to flea bites. I use a topical flea product (toxic, probably, but we live in a very remote rural area and also have five cats-sorry my purist friends), but the fleas have to bite him to die. It only takes one or two bites to make him break out all over and make him miserable sending us flying to the vet for a short term steroid (again my apologies to my purist friends, it is what it is).
   
   Good luck, I hope I've given some food for thought.

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