whats the easiest way to rid your dog of demodectic (red) mange?

Answer 1

Wish it Wasn't Necessary to Add This

No Motor Oil



Some 30 years ago, dipping dogs with demodectic mange in motor oil was a popular home remedy. Skin exposure to motor oil can cause rashes and skin destruction in severe cases. The hydrocarbons can be absorbed through the skin and cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. If motor oil is licked off the coat, resultant vomiting can lead to aspiration of motor oil into the lungs and pneumonia. Kidney and liver damage can result from motor oil dipping.

Please: Do not dip your dog in motor oil!

Prognosis

The younger the dog, the better the chance of cure. In many cases of adult-onset demodicosis, the disease is controlled by dips and baths but cure is not always possible. Some cases can never be controlled.

Current Treatment Of Choice -- Ivermectin

Ivermectin is a broad spectrum anti-parasite medication generally used for food animals and horses. In dogs and cats it is licensed for use as a heartworm preventive aand as a topical ear mite therapy; the use of this medication to treat demodicosis is not approved by the FDA. When ivermectin was a new drug, it was hoped that it could be used against demodectic mange mites as at that time only labor intensive dipping was available for treatment. Once it was discovered that daily doses are needed (most other parasites can be controlled with wormings spaced several weeks apart) ivermectin was found to be highly effective, quickly becoming the treatment of choice. Ivermectin is inexpensive relative to Milbemycin (see below) and involves no labor intensive bathing. It DOES, however, taste terrible if given orally (it may be necessary for the owner to learn how to give ivermectin as an injectable treatment.)

THIS MEDICATION IS NOT SAFE FOR USE IN COLLIES, SHETLAND SHEEPDOGS, USTRALIAN SHEPHERDS, OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOGS, AND SOME WOULD SAY, ANY HERDING BREED.

There is an unfortunate tendency for people hoping to save money to get their hands on large animal formulations of ivermectin and attempt to home treat this condition. The chief reason why this is a bad idea is "ivermectin sensitivity," a phenomenon famous in the collie breeds. It is important to realize that sensitivity to ivermectin may not be predictably limited to “collie breeds” and thus it is often prudent to use a lower test dose before initiating the relatively high doses of ivermectin needed to treat demodicosis. Recently a DNA test has been developed by Washington State University which can determine whether or not an individual has ivermectin sensitivity. (The test uses a cheek swab - for details visit www.vetmed.wsu.edu/vcpl). Not all individuals of collie heritage are sensitive to ivermectin.

Another important reason not to attempt home treatment of this condition with ivermectin is that there is a range of ivermectin doses used in the treatment of demodicosis and it seems that higher doses do clear infection faster than lower doses. This means that if a lower dose has been ineffective, a higher dose may still work. This does not mean that a pet owner should experiment with ivermectin doses on their own as there is some potential for lethal toxicity if this drug is not used appropriately. It does mean, though, that the affected dog needs to be appropriately rechecked at the proper intervals so that the mite numbers can be checked and it can be determined if the dose should be increased.

Traditional Treatment -- Amitraz (Mitaban) Dips





Unless the animal is largely bald or has a short coat, complete clipping will be required for maximal contact with the dip.

Dip should be preceded by a benzoyl peroxide bath (oxydex or pyoben shampoo). This helps clear up skin infections and also helps open the hair follicles so the dip can penetrate to the mites. Shampoo must sit on the pet at least 10 minutes before rinsing. Caution: This type of shampoo can stain jewelry and clothing.

Dip is applied by sponge. Gloves should be worn while applying dip. The dip dries on the dog's fur and should not be rinsed off. The dog should not get wet between dips.

Dipping occasionally yields mild sedation as a side effect. Very small dogs may become highly sedated and require an antidote but this is unusual. For your convenience, dipping and bathing may be performed at the hospital thus allowing for veterinary supervision in the event of side effects.

Dipping/bathing is recommended every 2 weeks on the bottle of dip. Most universities are finding that the cure rate jumps from 25% to 80% when dip is used at double strength and applied weekly. No toxic effects have been seen using the dip in this way and this is our current recommendation except in very small dogs and puppies.

The pet's skin is scraped every 2 weeks until 2 consecutive scrapings are negative. Dipping/bathing is discontinued and the pet is rechecked in one month. Dipping/bathing are reinstituted if mites are again found.

Amitraz dipping should not be used in toy breeds or in very young puppies.

NOTE: Amitraz is a drug of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor class. People who are taking selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors (such as Prozac®) could have a bad reaction to the use of amitraz if they administer dips to pets.

NOTE: Recently Upjohn Pharmacia merged with Pfizer Animal Health. Prior to this, Mitaban dip was on an "indefinite" backorder. Pfizer Animal Health plans to reintroduce Mitaban dip as soon as possible and does not consider this product to have been discontinued. Large animal formulations of Amitraz are available but their use in small animals is considered to be off-label. If you are interested in Amitraz therapy for demodicosis, consult your veterinarian.

Something Else Your Veterinarian Might Try -- Interceptor®

Interceptor (active ingredient: Milbemycin oxime) is normally marketed as a monthly heartworm preventive; when it is used on a daily basis, it is effective against generalized demodicosis. This discovery was welcomed by the veterinary profession as finally demodicosis could be treated without labor-intensive dipping. The downside to this treatment is expense, plus an owner can expect to be using this medication daily for up to 3 months to achieve cure.

Interceptor may be used in any patient safely; the only downside is expense.

Answer 2

Ok, here we go. This type of mange first off is not catchy by other dogs. Second it is caused by stress, not getting food etc. I know all of this because I rescued a Rottie with this type of mange. First you need to get him to a vet. Start the dips. This will not work by itself. We had done tons of research, and there is a sulfur product you can get online that will help to stop the mange and promote hair growth. The product is called Nu-Stock. I'm warning you now, it stinks because of the sulfur base, but it works. Also, give your dog a tablespoon depending on size of Flaxseed Oil in his soft dog food. Mix it in good. If I could post my Rotties before and after pics of care we had to give him, you would not think he is the same dog. But, it's the Nu-Stock that got him on his way. Once you start putting this paste on your dogs sore areas, do not wash it off everyday, just apply more on top. Maybe once a week you can bathe him and reapply Nu-Stock after he is dry. Your house will stink and you may want to cover any furniture he's allowed to get on with an old sheet. We had to get rid our our "old" couch when we finally didn't have to use this product anymore. Also, big note here: This will not cure your dog over-night. It took almost at least 6 months or so before the mange was cleaned up. Also remember, this mange never goes away, it just like dormant, until something happens to sitr it up again.

Good luck.

Answer 3

My dog is on Ivermectin and has been for 4-5 months now. His hair started growing back so we quit the meds but it came back. I should have kept him on it for at least another month. I hear good things about a product called Nu-Stock. You can type it in search and pull up the site or Ebay sells it. I just bought a jar but haven't received it yet.

The Ivermectin seems to be the best thing out there to cure it though. I'm going to try the other but will probably go back to the vet to put him back on the meds.

Hope your dog gets rid of it soon. I know what a pain in the a** it is!

Answer 4

Mange is caused by mites, arthropods related to spiders. There are two kinds of mange in dogs. Demodectic mange, also known as red mange is caused by the demodex mite. Demodex is a normal skin fauna in dogs, meaning ALL dogs have this mite living in their skin. It becomes mange when the dog's immune system is not able to keep the mite in check and the population grows out of control. Demodex is most common in puppies under a year and a half of age, whose immune system is not yet fully developed, older dogs, whose immune system might be compromised, and immuno-compromised dogs. Some breeds, such as pit bulls and dobermans for example, seem to be more prone to demodectic mange than others indicating that there may be a genetic component linked to strength of immune system. Stress, such as going to a new home or living in a shelter environment, is the most common cause for demodectic mange. Because demodex mites are part of the normal skin fauna and it is impossible (and unhealthy for the dog) to completely kill all of the mites demodectic mange can be very difficult to treat and a dog can get relapses even after it is treated. Treatment generally consists of medicated dips given one to two weeks apart until there are two negative skin scrapings and can take as few as four dips or much much longer. Demodex used to have no effective treatment and before the advances of medicated dips many vets actually recommended that affected dogs be euthanized. Sarcoptic mange, sometimes called scabies, is caused by the sarcoptic mite. Sarcoptes is a parasitic mite, like ear mites, and requires close contact with an infected dog or bedding. Because sarcoptic mange is caused by a parasite it is much easier to treat than demodectic mange. There are several treatment options including medicated dips, topical medication, and injections. It generally doesn't take very long to get rid of sarcoptic mange with the proper treatment.

Answer 5

What Is Red Mange

Answer 6

take it to the vet and get medicine mange gets worse with out proper treatment if your broke try going to a shelter theyll help you with the cost

Answer 7

I also asked this same question 3 times, and didn't get a good answer

Answer 8

Yeah it's possible

Answer 9

Take it to a vet.
Boaz.

Answer 10

Use old used motor oil.