Home remedies for mange in dogs, symptoms, homeopathic remedies, preventive measures.

Mange is a common canine skin problem. Characterized by severe itching and hair loss, Mange can affect any part of the body but most commonly- the face, ears and limbs. Here is more on diagnosis and how to treat mange in dogs. Home remedies for mange in dogs are available and easy to use. 

Understand What Mange in Dogs Is.

Mange is a skin infection that is common for all types of dogs. It is a disease caused by microscopic parasitic mites. Common symptoms include hair loss, formation of scabs and abrasions on the skin, skin redness, and severe itching. Mange commonly occurs on the dog’s face, elbow, ear, and limbs.

There are two common types of mite causing Mange skin disease: The Sarcoptes mite lives deep in the hair follicles while the Dermodex mite lives on the skin surface eventually. While these two have similarities, knowing the difference comes in handy during diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Most important to note is the Mange is a treatable skin infection. Make sure to consult a vet as soon as you note any telling symptoms of mange.

DemodecticRed Mange

Demodectic is the most common type of mange in dogs. It appears when the dog’s immune system is not capable of keeping Demodex mites under control. Thus the dog’s immune system is unable to fight off the overpopulation of insects. This type of mange occurs primarily in puppies under two years old. Older dogs with evidence of Red Mange could be due to immune suppression brought on by illness or medication.

Video: How to make a Borax/Hydrogen Peroxide solution for treating mange

NB. Demodectic is not contagious to other pets or humans, but it can be transmitted from mothers to their puppies during birth or breastfeeding.

Sarcoptic Mange

Unlike Demodectic, Sarcoptic mange also known as Canine scabies is a highly contagious skin infection found in dogs. It is caused by Sarcoptes mites’. Dogs may be infected if they come in contact with an infected area, dogs or hosts. The insect’s mate, then female leaves behind eggs burrowed in the dogs skin. These will then hatch in four to ten days.

Canine Scabies is highly contagious. I’s advisable to quarantine your dog to avoid infecting other pets. Sarcoptic Mange affects dogs of all ages might be affected, but it’s most common in puppies.

Humans can also be affected by Sarcoptic mange. It can cause small itchy red bumps on affected area on the human skin. However, their reproduction in human skin is impossible not like the dog’s skin, so the human skin heals in 11 to 16 days.

Common Symptoms of Mange in Dogs, How to Indentify Mange

Here is what to look for when diagnosing mange

While symptoms may be different for both types of mange, the procedure for checking the symptoms remains the same. This may include, examining the dog’s feet, checking for hair loss, bald spots and itching.

Symptoms for Dogs with Sarcoptic Mange

Canine Scabies has symptoms that are similar to those of flea infections. These symptoms show two to four weeks after exposure, and although Sarcoptic Mange cannot lead to death it can negatively affect your dog’s health. Here are the major symptoms of scabies in dogs:

• Redness, red bumpy rashes that look like mosquito bites.
• Intense scratching
• Alopecia (hair loss), Patchy hair loss on face, ears, legs and elbows.
• Crust formation in the affected area
• Sores
• Skin rash
• Scabs
• Presence of papules
• Crusty sores

Symptoms for Dogs with Demodectic Mange

Demodectic mange commonly occurs mostly in adult dogs with weak immune systems. Demodectic Pododermatitis, takes place on the dog’s feet and is very hard to detect or treat. Here is what to watch for:

• Scaling (Bald scaly patches)
• Persistent itching
• Scabbing
• Hair loss
• Sores / lesions

If the dog’s symptoms are confusing or too complicated to understand, have your dog checked by a vet. He’ll examine and perform tests to rule out bacterial infection of the skin, food allergies, or chiggers which portray almost similar symptoms as Mange.

Home Remedies for Mange in Dogs

There are different types of treatments for mange. However, similar home remedies can be used effectively to kill mites and treat both types of mange.

1. Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment for Mange in Dogs

Borax is a common household disinfectant- it’s cheap, easy to acquire and also dissolves quickly in water making it useful when applying it on the dog’s skin and fur.  Not only does Borax Cure Mange it also kills fungi and insects on the dog’s skin. The best form of Borax to deal with Mange is Sodium perborate which is the potent form used in curing Mange in dogs.

Procedure

1. Mix 3 heaping tablespoons Borax with 1 % Hydrogen peroxide and water.
2. Stir till it all dissolves in water
3. Bathe the dog in the mixture
4. Repeat these once a week

The amount of mixture you use depends on the size of your dog. Do not use this remedy for more than two weeks. Do Not wipe dry. This will allow the treatment to be absorbed and work more efficiently. Make sure that the dog does not ingest the mixture.

2. Yogurt

Yogurt is especially preferred and recommended to treat the inside of the dog’s ear. It helps with the problems of crusting, discoloration and discharge on the dog’s ear due to Mange. Yogurt contains acidophilus bacteria which helps get rid of these symptoms relieving the dog from discomfort.

Procedure

1. Take two tablespoons of pure yogurt
2. Use it directly on the affected area(crusted skin) by gently rub it
3. You can leave for some time for it to be absorbed then since it off at the end of the day
4. You can mix yogurt with apple cider vinegar or honey to get better results.

3. Cooking Oil

Cooking oil is one of the most effective home remedies for mange in dogs. It is cheap, available and easy to wash off.  There is no stick by rule of applying cooking oil to your dog.

Simply apply a few drops of cooking oil on the affected area. Cooking oil removes waxy deposits. This creates unfavorable conditions for the mites, hindering their population increase. Population control will ultimately kill mites in dogs. It also relieves the dog from irritation and itching brought on by the Mange disease.

Note that cooking oil for mange is best used along with other remedies.

4. Honey

Honey is one of the best home remedies for mange in dogs. It contains lots of properties (antiseptic, antioxidant and cleansing qualities) which make it an excellent remedy. Spreading honey on the affected area suffocates the mites.

The antioxidant properties stimulate rapid healing by reserving pigmentation. It smoothens the inflamed area, and folding of the affected skin.

Honey can be mixed with yogurt for even better results. Remember to wash off the honey before the night- ants like honey and may attack the dog. Raw honey is recommended for this purpose.

5. Use Soapy Water to Treat Dog Mites at Home

Soap has primary alkaline nature that helps stop the spread of mites causing Mange. It’s not as efficient as other types of remedies but can be helpful in some ways especially in cleaning the dog. It reduces inflammation and also reduces the infection levels.

6. Olive oil

Olive oil is a common remedy and can be used for a number of canine skin ailments. This can be credited to its natural properties. Constant use on the affected area can result in thick coat formation on the area.

This will reduce air supply thus killing the Mange mites. It soothes skin and calms irritating, itching spots on the dog’s skin. Olive oil can be used in sensitive areas such as the dog’s skin.

7. Neem Oil

Although it’s not a universal remedy, Need Oil is effective in curing Mange in both puppies and adult dogs. It cleanses, soothes skin and treats the affected area. Neem oil also enhances faster regrowth of fur.

Video: Natural Sulfur Treatment for Mange

8. How to Cure Dog Mange with Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar can be ingested or applied on affected dog skin. Add a tablespoon of raw and unsaturated apple cider vinegar in the pet’s meal. You can also mix this natural product with yogurt to make a better and beneficial remedy

9. Lemon

The acid in the lemons kills the mites and helps the skin to heal faster. It is however not recommended to use lemons directly on the dog’s skin since it’s very acidic. Here is how to use lemon to cure mange in dogs

Procedure

• Boil slices of lemon in water
• After boiling leave it over night
• On the next day use a sponge to apply the solution on the dog’s affected parts
• Do this until the affected areas heal

10.    Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is one of the most common remedies used for the skin. It’s antiseptic and anti-parasitic nature giving it an upper hand when fighting off the mites and in curing Mange. Apply aloe vera sup on the affected area twice daily.

It will help soothe irritations. Aloe Vera is natural so it can be used to apply on the skin after the usual dog’s borax and hydrogen peroxide bath hence actually killing Mange mites.

11. Food with supplements

It’s also advisable to feed your dog with foods full of supplements. It will help alleviate itch, irritation and improve skin conditions. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and fish oil are some of the supplements that help with healing, thus ensuring your dog’s health is in good condition.

Homeopathic Remedies for Mange Mites in Dogs

Unlike home remedies for mange in dogs, homeopathic remedies treat the dog as a whole not targeting the infected parts. It’s an all-natural approach that helps manage conditions that come along with mange. These can be found at health food stores, and it do not require a vet’s prescription. Here are a few of them that can be useful to your dog:

1. Defender all-natural flea, tick and mange shampoo,

When applied on the skin it prevents Flea, Tick, and Mange infection.

2. Tellurium

It’s suitable for lesions on the dog’s body parts

3. Mezereum

It’s recommended for dogs with lesions on the face and head.

4. Arsenicum alb

It’s recommended for dogs with irritating and itching skin.

How to Prevent Mange in Dogs

• Wash your dog and beddings frequently and thoroughly getting rid of Mange mites. Replace the linens if they come into contact with a Mange infected pet.
• Your dog’s diet should include supplements such as vitamin a, vitamin c, vitamin e vitamin b complex, zinc, and lecithin or even fish oil. Provide a healthy diet
• Do your best to keep your dog from other pets that may be or you already know are infected.
• Brush your pet’s fur frequently- this leaves the dog free of Mange mites.
• Regular checkups taking your dog to the vet regularly will make it possible for the vet to do the necessary checkups so if the dog has Mange, it will be diagnosed earlier.

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