Mange shampoo is a medicated shampoo which can be used together with medicated dip solutions to cure mange in dogs as an alternative to Ivermectin or other medications. Before choosing a solution for mange, you should have your dog diagnosed. The sarcoptic mange (scabies) is highly contagious, so all the pets in the house need to be treated and humans should take preventative measures as well, while demodectic mange, which is more rare, presents no danger to humans.
Types of Mange in Dogs
Mange is caused by mites residing on the dog's skin or inside the superficial skin tissue. There are two types of mites which can cause mange in dogs: the demodex canis, which causes the Red Mange, and the Sarcoptes scabiei canis, which causes scabies or sarcoptic mange. The 2 types of mange differ in symptoms and in treatment.
Red mange is only found in dogs that have a weakened immune system. Most dogs are immune to demodex canis, but the transmission can happen from the lactating mother to the puppies. Red mange can be local (up to 4 spots) or generalized.
The red mange can be diagnosed by analyzing skin scrapings and can be treated with Ivermectin. The mange is considered treated only when 2 skin scrappings in a row come in negative.
The sarcoptic mange or scabies is very contagious. Scabies is often treated with Ivermectin (not recommended to collies and Australian shepherds), dips or Revolution (a topical solution against fleas and parasite which can also be helpful with mites).
Symptoms of Mange in Dogs
The symptoms of different types of mange in dogs are similar. If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, take him to the veterinarian for tests.
- Intense itching that does not improve
- Small reddish bumps appearing on the margin of ears, elbows, ankles, chest and abdomen
- Bald spots, which can appear very quickly
- Crusty sores
- If left untreated, the skin begins to wrinkle and becomes thicker
Dog Mange Shampoo
If your dog is suffering from scabies (sarcoptic mange) and is sensitive to Ivermectin, your veterinarian will recommend shampoos which contain anti-parasitic lime sulfur dip (LymDip).
Lime sulphur can be used alone, mixed with water in a proportion of 4 to 6 ounces per gallon.
The dog's skin has to be cleansed with the solution weakly for 6 weeks in a row. Lime sulphur is recommended for treatment of mange in puppies that are younger than 4 weeks and in breeds that cannot get Ivermectin treatment.
If the dog has long hair, the hair should be clipped so the product can get to the skin.
An anti-dandruff shampoo before the lime sulfur dip will also be of use.
As lime sulphur dries the skin which can become irritated, you can add baby oil to the mixture.
For demodectic mange amitraz dips are recommended (amitraz medication mixed with water). Before using the dip, you can use benzoyl peroxide shampoo to increase effectiveness. You will need to use 6 to 10 dips to rid your dog of demodex canis.